The first event, ‘Immigration, asylum seekers and refugees: What is the real impact?’ was held at 6pm in King’s Hall at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, Canberra on 11 May 2010. It delved into the personal experiences of Les Murray and Abdalla Ahmed.

Event podcast

Download the podcasts of the first event, Immigration, asylum seekers and refugees: What is the real impact? held on 11 May, 2010.

• Introduction
• Les Murray talk
• Les Murray - questions and answers
• Abdalla Ahmed talk
• Abdalla Ahmed - questions and answers
• General questions and answers

Les Murray is well-known as a leading soccer commentator, however few Australians are aware that he began life as a refugee, fleeing his homeland of Hungary when he was eleven. Les will tell the personal story of a refugee who benefited from moving to this country – as much as our country has benefited from his arrival.

Abdalla Ahmed is the Chairperson of the Australian Somali Association and has helped over 300 Somalian families settle into Australia. He also returned to his homeland in 2005 and against all odds helped build a hospital for the community. Abdalla will share his thoughts on what democracy has done for him and so many others, often being the difference between life and death.

Seats are limited: reserve your free tickets now by email

The Uncensored Conversations forums were free events. You can also follow the Museum of Australian Democracy on Twitter @MoAD_Canberra.