Friends, we did it! Today, Priya, Nades, Kopika and Tharnicaa - the Nadesalingam family - came home to Biloela.

We just stepped off the plane where Priya was reunited with Bronwyn, our dear friend and #HometoBilo co-founder, for the first time in more than four years. I wish you could all have seen the girls’ smiles as the plane touched down. There have already been so many tears and hugs.

Priya and Nades are two of the strongest people I know. Their four year journey home to Biloela is only one chapter in their life-long stories of bravery and resilience.

It won’t surprise you to hear how determined Priya and Nades are to give back to our local community and do what they can to help others at risk of being forced to danger.

But first things first.

When the former government unjustly detained Priya, Nades, Kopi and Tharni for 1200 days, they robbed this independent family of at least 6,838 hours of full-time employment.

I am humbled by the way people right around Australia have chipped in to our crowdfunder to help make up the wages and superannuation lost to the Nadesalingam family during 1200 days of unjust detention.

And I am honoured to be telling you that Priya and Nades have decided to share $66,527 - the funds donated after our crowdfunding goal was reached - between local causes important to the Nadesalingam family and campaigns to help others at risk of being forced to danger.

Through my friendship with Priya and Nades, I have learned so much about the culture, community and bravery of Tamil people who’ve come to our shores in search of a safe and peaceful life.

With all of the support they have to get back on their feet and make a difference for others, I know how much it will mean if any further donations are directed to the Tamil Refugee Council, the refugee-led organisation that acts as a voice for Tamil refugees in Australia.

After the guards took our friends from their Biloela home, the volunteers at the Tamil Refugee Council found Priya, Nades, Kopi and Tharni in a Melbourne detention centre and called my friend Bronwyn.

Without the advice and encouragement of the Tamil Refugee Council in that first phone call, this petition might not exist. Our campaign to bring the Nadesalingam family safely home to Biloela might never have started.

The former government would almost certainly have forced Priya, Nades, Kopi and Tharni to danger within days.

There are other Tamil people just like Priya, Nades, Kopi and Tharni, who are living, working and raising families as part of our community. Many are living with the fear that they too could be taken from their homes, locked away in detention and forced to danger.

Thanks to you, we did it. We brought this family safely home in Biloela.

And in the process, we created an incredible community of 600,000 people inspired by the Nadesalingam family’s courage, kindness and strength.

Together with Priya and Nades, I know that we can keep making a difference for others.

With hope,

Angela

Image: Rachel McGhee, ABC News.