Fiona Birt, Living in Exile (PORTRAIT 2023)

In 1950, a profoundly significant and destabilising event took place on the ‘roof of the world’, which, in a matter of days and weeks, forever changed the lives of millions of people. It caused many of these people to clandestinely leave their homes and their land and relocate to other countries around the world. This mass migration continues today. Yet, most people know little or nothing about it. Each individual’s story is similar: in search of freedom, they have made their escape from Tibet by foot, crossing the treacherous Himalayan range into Nepal. With assistance from the Tibetan Government in Exile, they have settled for some years in Dharamsala, India, before being granted an Australian Humanitarian visa and heading down under to start their new life. Perth is home to a very small but growing Tibetan community. The majority of the approximately 2,500 Tibetans refugees who have moved to Australia are based in the Eastern States. Only about 50 have found their way to Perth.

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