Reflection on Refugee and Asylum Seeker Action

Bridie’s anti-action story

As an ActNow intern, I’ve researched a range of topics that pull on my heart strings, but as I was researching detention centres in Australia, I decided that this was something I wanted to take action on. One are in particular spoke to me: children in detention centres. Working with children was something I’d always been involved in, in some form or another, so I felt this was one area I could contribute some worth.

I began by researching different volunteering opportunities. I knew I had a certain number of basic restrictions on me – such as time and travel – so this made it easier to narrow things down. I also knew I wanted to be involved with an organisation that didn’t have a political agenda and just wanted to be involved in a non-partisan way. I picked my organisation an emailed them with a few questions, such as what time commitments they required.

Then I waited.

I expected a reply within (maximum) 2 weeks. About 6 weeks later I received an email apologising for the delay and saying they would contact me in the weeks to come. About 3 weeks later that call came asking me to come in, in a couple of days. It was such late notice, and I was already busy. I couldn’t go in for an interview and would have to wait for another phone call at an unknown point in the future.

But I wasn’t discouraged. Here’s why…
In the email sent to me, they discussed how with the recent changes to children in detention laws, they’d had to do an overhaul of their programs and staffing – a massive job! I still believe that the organisation does great work and is one I want to eventually be involved with. I also understand that it’s not about me. I am eager to be involved but know that to be effective, fitting in with the organisations timetable is important.

Also, in researching the issue of detention centres in Australia and how other orgs were involved, I’d gained a lot of knowledge about the issue and had started talking to friends. I began raising awareness and educating myself: two valuable actions. I look forward to being involved in other ways soon.