“Raw and poignant … this tale of love and a fierce spirit is a necessary document that defines what Australia is, and what it could be.”

Books + Publishing

For the first time, Priya Nadsalingam shares the story of her childhood in war-torn Sri Lanka and her perilous escape across the Indian Ocean in an overcrowded fishing boat. Alone in a strange country, she had to make a new life without family or friends. She marries Nades, another refugee, and settled with him in Biloela, where they had two daughters, Kopica and Tharnicaa.

The shocking dawn raid in 2018 was the first of multiple attempts by the Australian government to deport the family. But the people of Biloela wouldn’t have it. A small group swung into action and built an extraordinarily powerful social media campaign that gathered support from hundreds of thousands of ordinary Australians all around the country.

Rebekah first met the family in detention, and recounts the dramatic behind-the-scenes efforts to prevent them from being deported. After a change of government Priya, Nades and the girls were granted the permanent visas they needed and were able to return home to Biloela - the happy ending they always wanted.