The Lucky Ones Book Launch - An evening with Dellaram Vreeland and Melinda Ham

ABOUT THE EVENT

The Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council, in collaboration with the Ballarat Afghan Action Group and the Ballarat Rural Australians for Refugees, invites the community to attend a book launch event featuring journalist and author Dellaram Vreeland in conversation with author Melinda Ham. Melinda is the author of the newly released book, ‘The Lucky Ones’.

During the event, attendees will participate in an intimate discussion as Dellaram and Melinda delve into the heart of Melinda’s debut book, ‘The Lucky Ones’. The book is a poignant portrayal of love, loss, despair, and hope through the lens of refugee journeys spanning seven decades. Through captivating narratives, they will explore the themes of resilience, human connection, and the ever-evolving landscape of refugee policy in Australia.

Event Details:

• Date: Monday, 13 May 2024

• Time: 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

• Location: Ballarat Welcome Centre, 25-39 Barkly Street, Ballarat East

A light supper will be provided. 

Books will be available for purchase at the event.

This event is brought to you with the support of the Victorian government.

ABOUT MELINDA HAM

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 for the Associated Press and for London’s Daily Telegraph, The Economist and other international publications. She’s also lived and worked in India and Singapore. In Australia, she wrote for The Sydney Morning Herald, the Age, the Australian Financial Review and the Sun Herald for more than twelve years, including stints as a sub-editor on the foreign desk and as commissioning editor for Special Reports. She wrote on a diverse range of subjects, including education, environment, health, lifestyle, health and culture. She’s been editor of Explore, the Australian Museum’s twice-yearly magazine. She’s also produced dozens of publications through her media company, Narrate Media, for charities, universities and companies.

ABOUT THE DELLARAM VREELAND

Dellaram Vreeland is a journalist, writer and Australian-born Iranian working and living on Wadawurrung Country. Raised in Ballarat, she has spent more than 14 years covering stories in rural and regional communities. She has been a finalist in the Melbourne Press Club's Quill Awards, and her work has appeared in Guardian Australia, across various Nine and Australian Community Media mastheads, as well as in a variety of national travel publications. Her interests lie in multicultural affairs, social justice, education and social cohesion, and she recently co-authored the book Undiscovered Victoria.

ABOUT THE LUCKY ONES

The Lucky Ones chronicles the journeys of six refugee families to Australia from six countries over the past 70 years. Their real-life stories of resilience are woven together against the fabric of Australia’s changing refugee policy. The countries these families fled from include Poland/Ukraine, Vietnam, Iraq, Tibet, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Afghanistan.

PRAISE FOR THE LUCKY ONES

‘Powerful, heart-breaking, harrowing and deeply moving.’ 
Susan Duncan

‘Set against the backdrop of Australia’s ever-changing refugee policies and the turbulence of politics at home and abroad, the voices in these six stories capture the humour, resilience and tenacity of the people who have made Australia home.’
Alice Pung

‘These stories of resilience, helplessness and courage have left us with no doubt that refugees are human beings with human rights whether they come by air or by boat. They are escaping danger and they haven’t chosen the country they want to go to. They bring rich cultures and give back 200 percent to this country, so let’s open our hearts, hands, homes and our wealth to accommodate all that come to our great country running away from persecution.’
Rosemary Kariuki OAM, Australian Local Hero 2021 and Kenyan refugee

‘This book illustrates the challenges that forcibly displaced people and refugees face. It also showcases their strength, resilience, courage and caring for each other in some of the most inhuman places in the world. At the same time it showcases humanity and life changing opportunities for those who are fleeing violence, persecution and war. It inspires us to believe that every individual has the power to make a positive change in the lives of those who are fleeing persecution, violence and war to seek protection and build a new life in Australia.’
Zaki Hadiri, Amnesty International Refugee Rights campaigner and Afghani refugee

‘Books like this – that highlight and celebrate our shared humanity – are how we become a kinder, more compassionate country.’ 
Violet Roumeliotis AM, CEO Settlement Service International

‘Melinda’s compassion for refugees shines through as she describes the traumatic and courageous journeys of these refugee families fleeing persecution and war to find safety and a new start in Australia. Spanning more than 70 years of refugee resettlement and policy, these stories are punctuated with touching acts of kindness by ordinary Australians – reminding us all that we have the power to make a positive difference in the lives of refugees.’
Naomi Steer OA, founder of UNHCR in Australia

‘Fundamentally human and courageous, and a compelling read that provides a glimpse into why you might flee for your life and what it means. At times the book is achingly heartbreaking, especially when describing the long periods of disconnection from loved ones, and yet an unwavering core of hope and determination is present in each person’s extraordinary story. Inspiring.’ 
Frances Rush OAM, CEO Asylum Seekers Centre, Sydney

‘Hundreds of thousands of living Australians have experienced forced displacement from their country of birth and the challenges and opportunities that come with starting again in an unfamiliar country. In The Lucky Ones, Melinda Ham enables six families to share what this meant for them, providing an invaluable insight into some of the experiences of the many people living among us who have been refugees at some point in their lives.’
Paul Power, CEO of the Refugee Council of Australia

‘The Lucky Ones is excellent and makes an important contribution to the public discourse on refugee settlement in Australia. The family and individual histories are written with empathy and clarity.’ 
Professor Jock Collins, professor in Social economics at the University of Technology Sydney Business School