Blog Archives

Dear scattered friends,

A quick catch-up before Christmas. Needless to say, the men are still in detention at Pinkenba – sleeping during the day, on the internet at night searching for news of their homeland.

sleep all day
surf at night
the internet – a lonely light
on all we know
and our tears will flow
as we surf the net at night

homeland is weeping
news of the day
stories we’re reading
break our hearts but we can’t turn away

There is a Christmas tree prominently located in the common room where we gather with our guitars. Not a common sight for the Persians and the Iraqis, those from Afghanistan, Kuwait and Syria. But it’s there anyway. Hopefully by osmosis, the message of peace on earth will find its way into this jaded context. We resisted any inclination to sing Christmas carols apart from John Lennon’s classic ‘War is over – if you want it’:

and so this is Christmas
for weak and for strong
for rich and for poor ones
the world is so wrong Read More

Dear scattered advocates,

Week 14 at the Pinkenba Detention Centre. Something’s different today: The mechanical engineer – big, welcoming and loveable, the body builder who dances like a girl, master of the Rubik’s cube, instigator of the mischievous slow clap – has gone. His beloved partner who has lived next door to him since they were children – she who writes poetry under the influence of Rumi, she who dressed in yellow to celebrate Ramadan – went with him. According to Mahin the interpreter, they have both been given their protection visas. It is wonderful news. It is our assessment system having a satisfying outcome.  It is what we have been hoping for.

We miss them. Read More

Dear scattered embracers of freedom,

Week 11 at the Detention Centre: SERCO activities officer Nicole Teo met us at the entrance to explain more stringent Government requirements – we had to be scanned coming in and going out – arms wide, legs apart, turn around please. Not sure what this is about. Darran Williams, Aboriginal Youth Suicide Counsellor  from Gallang Place came with us today for the first time. It was a disconcerting introduction. Nicole was apologetic.

We all made light of it though. Detention Centres located elsewhere in Australia have a different management culture it seems – less collaborative and less attentive to the needs of the detainees. The new guidelines which include tightened security are to be implemented in all Centres across the country. We consider ourselves fortunate in Pinkenba. Read More

 
Dear companeros – scattered  in all directions,

Week 9 at the Detention Centre. It was a full house today – extra seats were brought in from the dining room. We are all on first name basis. We all know the songs and know what’s coming in Yani’s warm-ups. We are comfortable with one another. The time was right to ask two questions of significance.

Firstly though we introduced our guests: Loni, nurse and artist who is also Yani’s sister as well as Faye and Glenda – two psych nurses from Christchurch who both work for SERCO but were keen to join in. They recognized that our work makes their work easier. We gave them each a songbook (no spectators). Read More

Week 10 at the Detention Centre.  This is the month of Ramadan – 30 days of fasting during which Muslims refrain from eating and drinking during daylight hours. The common room was empty when we arrived with our guitars. The residents had been up before dawn to have breakfast – then back to bed where we guessed, they still were. It was an opportunity for us to catch our breath after negotiating the congestion of Day 1 of Ekka traffic, delayed buses for Paola and Simon’s car refusing to start in the rain. All things have their limits.

First arrivals – the mechanical engineer followed closely by the industrial diver. Reassuring to see them and reason enough to let the music begin. “Precious Water” was appropriate (in spite of Simon’s car’s behaviour). It hasn’t rained for close to a month – the ground is dry and cracked.

may the rain fall, may it come, let it fall on everyone
thirsty country, need to flee, will you make some room for me Read More

 Dear Singers  (those who sing in tune and the rest of us),

Day 7 at the Detention Centre began with expected challenges – apologies being received from Paola who had lectures today as well as from me (Brian) with a planning day ahead.

Unbeknown to all, these challenges were to escalate as the morning progressed.

Yani telephoned in – too sick to come. A contingency plan was hastily prepared. It would be a stripped-back coordinating team today. Simon and Aleathea would lead the music while Matthew (Mateo) with peripheral vision, would write the notes to be used in this report. Rachael from Songlines was thankfully able to be present to add strength to the vocals and to give special musical attention to the children – her forte.

Read More

 Dear scattered friends – near and far,

Day 6 in the Pinkenba Detention Centre.  We were greeted warmly by the SERCO staff – entry for us behind closed doors is now swift and uncomplicated. They told us that Thursdays is the favourite day for the detainees. They said that this is good for the Centre – good for everybody.

There is an irony for us about all of this. ‘Scattered People’ was conceived within a hostile political and social environment twelve years ago – a fusion of asylum seekers from various cultures singing passionately about having the right to stand together in safety and in freedom:

calling all you thinkers that you might understand, calling all achievers, artists and schemers, you workers on the land
we’re calling those of you who care, have other people in your life,
just listen if you can
and stand with us tonight

Read More