For our first Blog post we thought we'd take advantage of the comfort offered by the distance of time. Sometimes it is hard to consider a situation clearly when we are caught up in the turbulence of political spin, rhetoric emotive reporting and fear mongering and urgency of Now!
The letter below was forwarded to us by a DASSAN member who recalls an experience with a group of people from Vietnam back in the mid 70s.
"I was ferreting in an old file and found this letter. It brings back a few memories. there were 6 Vietnamese who were locked in a cabin while their boat was sailed to Darwin, where the 'thieves' applied for asylum. These 6 had to wait until a bigger vessel came to darwin to escort them home in their ship. I was calling by to say hello a few times, and took half of them to visit a farmer friend at Tortilla Flats. They had an English speaking student helping them out for a while. This letter from him just demonstrates how a little kindness goes a long way - further that we might think."
Letter written on 28th March 1976 by a Vietnamese student who had been in Darwin as interpreter for the 6 Vietnamese refugees.
Pat Walsh booklaunch, ET in 2000's mainly, Wed 5.15 Library in Parlt Hse
typed letter 28/3/76
Dear Rob,
I am very sorry for having written you a bit late. It due to, as you know, a very long postal strike in Canberra and in NSW. Beside, I have been a bit busy during these days. On writing you today, first of all, I would like to express my many thanks to you for what you have done for me and my friends. I think that my stay in Darwin, with your help and kindness, was very nice. I myself will never forget these experiences. For my friends too, they are very grateful to you. With your help, they could spend those very long days a bit less lonely and less homesick. Your coming to the boat and your talks made them understand more about Australian people, and made them more merrier. I think that when they return to our homeland, they will never forget those days. They will never forget the experiences they lived in the farm, hunting, exploring the harbour, etc . ... Are you busy in the last days? Have you got time to go the boat and have talk with them. Although they do not speak English, they can understand you, and they fell (feel) less lonely by having talked with Australian friends. Now I would like to say something about me. First of all, I would like to tell you that my trip to Canberra was nice and safe. I arrived at Canberra airport on early Monday morning. That day was the Canberra day, so I have got time to rest after a long journey from Darwin. I was a bit busy preparing for my study, but now everything is O.K. I have been very well since I said good-bye to you. I think that I will be well during the last days in Australia.To conclude my letter, again I would like to thank you very much. I will never forget your help and kindness. My friends I think that they are very grateful to you. They will never forget you and Darwin.I wish you many successes in your work. Good luck.
yours sincerely.
Nguyen (Name omitted)
The letter below was forwarded to us by a DASSAN member who recalls an experience with a group of people from Vietnam back in the mid 70s.
"I was ferreting in an old file and found this letter. It brings back a few memories. there were 6 Vietnamese who were locked in a cabin while their boat was sailed to Darwin, where the 'thieves' applied for asylum. These 6 had to wait until a bigger vessel came to darwin to escort them home in their ship. I was calling by to say hello a few times, and took half of them to visit a farmer friend at Tortilla Flats. They had an English speaking student helping them out for a while. This letter from him just demonstrates how a little kindness goes a long way - further that we might think."
Letter written on 28th March 1976 by a Vietnamese student who had been in Darwin as interpreter for the 6 Vietnamese refugees.
Pat Walsh booklaunch, ET in 2000's mainly, Wed 5.15 Library in Parlt Hse
typed letter 28/3/76
Dear Rob,
I am very sorry for having written you a bit late. It due to, as you know, a very long postal strike in Canberra and in NSW. Beside, I have been a bit busy during these days. On writing you today, first of all, I would like to express my many thanks to you for what you have done for me and my friends. I think that my stay in Darwin, with your help and kindness, was very nice. I myself will never forget these experiences. For my friends too, they are very grateful to you. With your help, they could spend those very long days a bit less lonely and less homesick. Your coming to the boat and your talks made them understand more about Australian people, and made them more merrier. I think that when they return to our homeland, they will never forget those days. They will never forget the experiences they lived in the farm, hunting, exploring the harbour, etc . ... Are you busy in the last days? Have you got time to go the boat and have talk with them. Although they do not speak English, they can understand you, and they fell (feel) less lonely by having talked with Australian friends. Now I would like to say something about me. First of all, I would like to tell you that my trip to Canberra was nice and safe. I arrived at Canberra airport on early Monday morning. That day was the Canberra day, so I have got time to rest after a long journey from Darwin. I was a bit busy preparing for my study, but now everything is O.K. I have been very well since I said good-bye to you. I think that I will be well during the last days in Australia.To conclude my letter, again I would like to thank you very much. I will never forget your help and kindness. My friends I think that they are very grateful to you. They will never forget you and Darwin.I wish you many successes in your work. Good luck.
yours sincerely.
Nguyen (Name omitted)
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