Many Australians living abroad now feel disconnected from home. Covid has separated us physically and emotionally more than ever. Many feel upset and left out.

We can tell them that they're not forgotten. That we, as fellow Aussies who've also made the same journey to live abroad, care. 

We'd love you to add your name as a sign of support from people to people. If we get enough people to sign up, we will reach out to media in their local countries to ensure they hear our message.

 

‘We’re with you’ - An open letter from returned Aussies to the next generation still abroad 

We know what it's like.

As Australians who’ve returned after years abroad, we know what it’s like. 

You leave with a sense of adventure to explore the world, see new sights, meet new people.

You leave with mixed emotions of leaving comfortable lives and networks for the thrill of the unfamiliar.

You may stay longer than you thought, but it doesn’t mean you don’t still belong.

There are hundreds of thousands of Australians still abroad. 

You are doing an important job for Australia. 

Australia has been built by those who have gone before you and returned. You are building important economic connections with the world, bringing new technologies and approaches, infusing our national conversation with new ideas, and enriching our society through new families.

Millions of us have gone before you. Doing exactly the same as you and for the same reasons.

And now more than ever, you are making sacrifices without ever been asked to. 

Many of you have struggled through cancelled flights and hotel quarantines. Many thousands more are still waiting to come home. Many more have decided to stay because of family, work or because that is the life you are now leading. Many may never intend to return permanently.

We hear stories of heartbreak and stress on the news from our relatively comfortable Australian life. Of young people and old, families and individuals. Each grasping for meaning.

We can only imagine the exasperation as borders have gone up in practice even to Australian citizens. And the prospect of reuniting with family, friends and your country seems further away than ever, and no end is in sight. It all remains uncertain.

It may feel like Australia has forgotten about you and doesn’t care any more. That you are left behind, a casualty of an unseen virus that cuts countries apart.

But we as people of Australia want to say that we’re with you.

We haven’t forgotten about you. We are thinking of you over there all the time. We care.

We thank you for your sacrifice, resilience and spirit in these trying times, what you are doing for us to keep us safe. 

You are part of our Australian family, and being apart has made us treasure your mateship now more than ever.

Even across the seas and where we can no longer see you, we are with you.

Until we can meet again

Your fellow Aussies