By Cam Lucadou-Wells
It’s a book that bridges cultures, generations and nations.
From Timor-Leste to Australia tells the courageous survival stories of seven East Timorese families who escaped invasion of their homelands and settled in Casey.
Gleneagles Secondary College students conducted the interviews of family members – often the first time that they had shared the full story of their mass exiles between 1975 and 1999.
Their stories were compiled and edited by former Gleneagles principal Jan Trezise, who masterminded the project over two-and-a-half years.
“A family member said it was difficult to tell their story,” Ms Trezise said.
“It was emotional and traumatic but it was also healing.”
One of the stories is Endeavour Hills’s Berta Santos – who miraculously survived violent civil war and the Indonesian invasion in 1975.
It claimed the lives of many of her loved ones, including her first husband.
For her the story is so important. Until now, even her eight children did not know the whole truth, Ms Santos said.
“A lot of people don’t know other people’s history. They get to know their backgrounds – it is very interesting.”
For students Tirtani Santosa and Nick Stamatopoulos who helped collate her story, it was an eye-opener.
“To hear there were so many families that had to deal with these struggles. They are here telling their stories and I’m thinking I can’t believe this is happening,” Nick said.
“I felt so privileged that they’re willing to tell it to us.”
In 1979, Ms Santos made the fateful decision to flee to the Indonesian capital Jakarta and leave behind seven of her children – in the hope that she would organise their reunion in the “free world”.
Three years later, the International Red Cross arranged for her children’s escape.
Together, they flew from Jakarta to the safe shores of Portugal.
Later they settled in Australia, where she long campaigned for a free East Timor up until the 1999 independence vote. She helped refugees settle in south-east Melbourne as well as those stricken in Timor itself.
Last year she received the Ordem de Timor Leste (Order of Timor Leste) in recognition of her determined contribution.
Ms Trezise says the book also tells of a time when Australia had a more humane approach to refugees, when families were able to be more easily reunited on our shores.
“Most of us are refugees and have interesting stories.
“I think the book is a symbol of so many other families.”
The book – funded by City of Casey – was launched at Bunjil Place on 24 June. It’s available at wilddingopress.com.au – and at bookshops from 1 August.
