It was a Christmas to remember for former Tamil refugee Redson Selvam as he joyfully reunited with his family after 12 long years of separation. After more than a decade of uncertainty and with the backing of Brisbane Catholics, Mr Selvam greeted his family at Brisbane International Airport on Christmas Day.

 

On December 6 the Department of Home Affairs granted visas to Mr Selvam’s wife, Pushpamala, son, Vithushan, and daughter, Paranika, ending the 12 years of agonising separation. Darra-Jindalee parishioner and family friend Des Lavey spoke at Mass on December 29 to let the community know Mr Selvam’s family had arrived after they had supported and fundraised for him for more than a decade.

 

“Redson is a casualty of the Sri Lankan civil war and arrived in Australia by boat on August 5, 2012,” Mr Lavey said.

 

“He lost his right leg from the hip down due to a bomb exploding at a public Tamil independence meeting. He was the official photographer at the gathering.

 

“The Darra-Jindalee and Bulimba Catholic communities simply realised the importance of compassion and love to be shown to Redson.

 

“We recognised Redson as a good-living Christian after knowing him over a decade and understood for some time the practical challenges he faced as a refugee bringing his wife and two children to Australia.

 

“Our belief was strong that having the family live here with us would change four lives for the better. It is a Christmas miracle.

 

Mr. Selvam’s son Vithusan spoke at the Mass on behalf of the family to thank them for the incredible support.

 

 “I am proud to be Redson’s son,” he said.

 

“I speak for my father, my mother, Pushpamala, and my sister Paranika, when I say there are no words that can say how grateful we are to the communities at Darra-Jindalee and Bulimba.

 

“Even in a time of economic uncertainties you did not stop helping us. You taught us something very important and impacted our lives in a positive way. Because of your prayers, kindness and generosity you have achieved for our family what we thought was impossible. Our family will never forget that your good deeds brought our family together again to build a new life in this wonderful place. We look forward to getting to know people here, especially those who have spent many hours helping my father with all the details to make this day happen. We are so grateful to them. We are positive about the future. From the bottom of our hearts, our family says, ‘Thank you so much’, for your care, kindness and generosity.”

 

Mr. Lavey said a three-bedroom rental property has been found in Darra for the Selvam family to live in and most of the furniture and whitegoods have been donated.

 

Mr. Selvam had fought a deportation order and had it overturned, was given permanent residency to stay in Australia on June 7, 2023.

 

He has been living in Australia on a Safe Haven Enterprise Visa since 2012. 

 

Mr. Selvam is employed as a laundry assistant in Darra. On weekends he works as a photographer at wedding receptions, birthday parties and community events.

 

Mr. Lavey said that through the generosity of the Darra-Jindalee parish and the Bulimba parishes they were able to raise the money to help Mr Selvam and reunite his family.

 

“He (Redson) was over the moon,” Mr. Lavey said.

 

“I originally met him (Redson) at Mass one day at the sign of peace. He was next to me in the pews about 12 years ago and that’s how it all happened.”.

 

Mr. Lavey said Mr. Selvam was a devout man and he had inspired him.

 

“He has a strong, deep faith, and I think that’s what’s kept him going,” he said.