Members of Brisbane’s Darra Jindalee parish are celebrating after a fellow parishioner and Tamil refugee was granted a visa to stay in Australia. Source: The Catholic Leader.
After a decade of uncertainty and with the backing of local churchgoers, Redson Selvan received news on June 8 that the federal Government would grant him a Resolution of Status Visa.
“During his lunch break at work, he phoned me to share his great joy on receiving his permanent visa,” Darra parishioner Des Lavey said.
“Our hope now is that Redson can be reunited with his family.”
Mr Selvan, a member of the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Community in Darra, has been living in Australia on a Safe Haven Enterprise Visa since 2012.
All that time he has been separated from his wife and two children who remain in Sri Lanka.
Now that Mr Selvan is a permanent Australian resident, he has a right to apply for his family to come to Australia.
“It is reason for hope,” Mr Lavey said.
Mr Lavey is one of several Darra parishioners trying to raise money to help bring Mr Redson’s wife, 18-year-old son, and 14-year-old daughter to Australia.
Visa costs and air tickets to Australia would make it impossible for Mr Redson to raise the funds alone.
Recently the Springfield Catholic community donated $1000 to the cause.
Mr Lavey hopes a charity ball later this month will help raise enough money for a Selvan family reunion in Australia.
FULL STORY
Church support helps Tamil refugee secure a visa to stay (By Mark Bowling, The Catholic Leader)
