He was an asylum seeker arriving by  boat.

The Afghan, who belongs to the ethnic minority of Hazaras, came to Australia seeking asylum after fleeing to Pakistan.

“Hazaras have been prosecuted since 200 years,” Ghulam said.

“My family decided to send me to a place where I could live like a human – Australia.”

Ghulam said when he began his journey on the boat, he was fortunate to be intercepted by the Australian Navy.

“The first time the Australian Navy came onto the boat, I had some rudimentary knowledge of English, I read the badge on the shoulder and I said ‘good’,” he said. 

“We lived in a detention centre for one year. The hardship was living in limbo and in such a traumatised environment.”

However, he said, the good thing was having television which taught him about Australian culture, politics and football. 

“Finally, we were transferred to Ballarat,” Ghulam said.

“Being in community is very important,  especially for asylum seekers . . . we can have visitors, attend school, have English language classes.

“I got my visa in September 2011. . .  I completed my VCE in 2012.”

Ghulam said he hoped politicians would take a humane approach towards the vulnerable asylum seekers. 

“Deterring the boats cannot take place by implementing harsh and cruel policies,” he said.

“Of course Australia cannot resettle 50 million refugees 

. . .  but do not make victims this vulnerable and helpless people.”