The Lucky Ones is a moving and meticulously researched book of refugee stories from award-winning journalist and former foreign correspondent Melinda Ham.
Though they are from different generations, countries and cultures, the families in this book all have one thing in common: they have escaped persecution in their homelands to find safety in Australia. Spanning 70 years, and tracking journeys from Iraq, Afghanistan, Poland, Tibet, Vietnam and Zaire, The Lucky Ones offers a window into the complex history of Australian refugee experiences.
Melinda will be in conversation with Naomi Steer, founder and former National Director of Australia for UNHCR.
About Melinda:
Melinda Ham has been a journalist for more than twenty-five years. She started her career in southern Africa as a correspondent for six years. She has also lived and worked in India and Singapore.
In Australia, she wrote for The Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun Herald for more than twelve years. She wrote on a diverse range of subjects including education, environment, health and lifestyle. She has been editor of Explore, the Australian Museum’s twice yearly magazine. She has also produced dozens of publications through her media company, Narrate Media, for charities, universities and companies.
About Naomi:
Naomi is a longstanding advocate for refugees and other forcibly displaced people from her early days as an Australian diplomat working at the United Nations in New York and for 22 years as National Director of Australia for UNHCR , the UN Refugee Agency’s National Partner supporting UNHCR’s international humanitarian work through funding emergency relief and other vital support and public awareness about the plight of refugees.
Since retiring from Australia for UNHCR in 2022, Naomi has continued her work supporting refugees globally and locally. She is a Board member of Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia and on the Advisory Boards to western - Sydney based social enterprise FoodLab supporting refugee food entrepreneurs and Talent Beyond Boundaries promoting employment and migration opportunities for skilled refugees . Her latest venture is supporting a group of refugee women in Uganda through her initiative Connectors4Good.
Naomi has a BA (Hons) and LLB from UNSW and an MSc in Conflict, Security and Develop Studies from Leicester University, UK.
Copies of The Luck Ones will be available to purchase on the night.
Tea, coffee and light refreshments will be provided.
