Old Boy saves family from deportation

We were delighted recently to hear the following story from Old Collegian and inducted College Legend John Mooney (SPC 1960-65)- of his tireless dedication to help a desperate family look forward to a bright future.

Read this lovely story from John Mooney…

“On Friday, 15^th August, 2014, I received the great honour of being inducted as a Legend of our College at a dinner presentation evening at Il Gambero restaurant in Lygon Street.

In my acceptance speech, I spoke of the central theme of Social Justice and personal aspiration in the life work of Edmund Rice, the founder of The Christian Brothers.

I have now completed 50 years of teaching in Victoria.- Since 1984, I have been Principal of three large Specialist Schools for students with additional learning needs.

In my speech, I spoke of the plight of one of my current students who, along with his parents, was about to be deported in a matter of days.- This case had gone through extensive appeal processes but had been unsuccessful.- The family has given me permission to use their real names in this report.- They are Seng and Ivy Thum (parents) and their only child, Eugene.

A number of people present at the Legends’ Dinner have asked about what was the final outcome?- I promised that I would let them know.- So here is the continued story …

There were so many politicians, professionals and community members who had advocated without success.- Ivy and Seng had spent over $15,000 in employing Immigration Agents to put their case forward.- This has left them in a penniless state and their situation seemed to be hopeless.

Seng had come to Australia from Malaysia in 1998.- Ivy had come to Australia from Malaysia in 2001.- Because of their fear of political issues in Malaysia, they both overstayed their Visitor’s Visa and remained in Australia as unlawful non-citizens.- They married in 2004.- Their only child, Eugene, was born in 2005.- Eugene was born with multiple developmental needs and was enrolled at our school in 2010.

On the 10^th – of May, 2011, there was a knock at the door of the family’s unit.- They had been located by the Department of Immigration.- After due consideration, they were given Bridging E Visas.- When these expired, the family applied for a Business Long Stay visa 457.- This was unsuccessful.- They were required to leave Australia as soon as possible after 26^th August, 2014.- The clock was ticking …

I decided to represent the Thum family as their official agent (pro bono).- I was able to lodge a new application using new information asking the Assistant Minister to exercise her right to make a judgement based on the best interests of the community.

I followed this up with an application for a Protection Visa in September, 2014.- This application was heard in July, 2015.- On 27^th July, 2015, I lodged an application for young Eugene to be given Australian Citizenship as he had reached the age of 10 years old on 23^rd June, 2015.- The Act states that if a child has lived continuously in Australia until the age of 10 years without leaving the country, the child would be eligible for citizenship.

Eugene was given citizenship as of 23^rd June, 2015.

We were overjoyed with this achievement!- – A happy future was potentially in sight …

I then submitted another request for Ministerial Intervention to enable Eugene’s parents to be permitted to remain in Australia as the parents of a 10 year old Australian citizen.- This led to a series of negotiations and discussions.

On the 6^th of July, 2016, I was informed that following Ministerial Intervention, Ivy and Seng Thum had been granted permanent visas to live in Australia.- This was a day to cherish and remember!- Ivy and Seng have given permission to include their photograph in this report to the St Patrick’s community.- They wish to thank you for your kind thoughts and best wishes.

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

In a card that the Thum family gave to me, they said -… because of your tireless dedication, we can now look forward to a bright future ahead of us being a part of this wonderful nation … –

So that is my report back to the Legends’ Dinner participants on 15^th August, 2014.- I hope that you share my joy and sense of doing something that was very worthwhile.

–