The Grieving Site

24 October 2001

On 21 October 2001, about 400 people boarded a tiny little rowing boat on the coast of Java. The people were mainly Iraqi refugees. They were told this little boat was taking them out to a bigger boat which would take them to Australia. It wasn't, and it sank, and 353 people, mainly women and children, were drowned. The boat was the SIEV-X

The Australian government — and the Australian media — appeared not to give a toss. One day on the front of the Melbourne Age newspaper, and one day on all the TV stations, then pretty well nothing ever since.

RAC set up a grieving site outside Melbourne Central from 5pm on Wednesday 24 October where people could light a candle to show their respect for the 353 refugees who died on Australia's doorstep while hoping to be let in. Many passers-by expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to express their sorrow at this tragedy, and many also signed the grieving list.