I turned up to the ‘Grandmothers against Refugee Children in Detention’ protest alone. But I carried with me the support of friends and family members who had helped organise 3 back packs with books and warm clothes for refugee children. It was hoped these children might be offered asylum in America as part of an agreement with the Australian Government.    Pleas to bring them to Australia from the detention centre on Nauru had fallen on deaf political ears.

It was a complete surprise when walking with a large crowd of protestors from Federation Square to Queen Victoria Gardens I was greeted enthusiastically by a small woman at my right elbow. It was my Aunt Marjorie. My Dad’s oldest sister. Here she was at 83 all decked out in purple, chanting and singing with gusto, walking with the aid of a stick after her recent hip operation.

It was lovely to share this event with my dear Aunt. She had been member of this group far longer than I and had taken a group bus trip all the way to Canberra earlier in the year to deliver a petition to Parliament House calling for the immediate release of refugee children from detention centres. Aunt Marj has a vibrant active relationship with compassionate action activities encouraged by her church.