Margaret River resident Tika Baxter said she would probably be dead were it not for the welcoming arms of Australia when she was younger.
At just four years old she was thrust into the middle of a violent invasion as the Democratic Union of East Timor was invaded by Indonesia in 1975.
With gunfire echoing through the streets one night she was grabbed by her mother and rushed to the docks for safety.
Luck was on her side and an Norweigian ship arrived to take her to safety in Australia.
She does not remember all of the details but she remembers the screaming, shooting and weeping.
“My father was taken as a prisoner of war," she said.
"He decided to stay behind and fight for his cause.
“Many of the husbands did. The boat was mostly mothers, expectant mothers and children.
As her country became embroiled in the flames of war her ship slipped away into the night, and towards a new life in Darwin.
Years later she is sharing her story with the Augusta Margaret River Shire council meeting on April 22 to support a motion for the Shire to declare itself a Welcome Refugee Zone.
A Refugee Welcome Zone is a local Government Area which has made a commitment in spirit to welcoming refugees into the community.
Mrs Baxter speculated on would have happened to her if Australia had not been welcoming refugees.
“I would not be here,” she said.
“I would probably be dead, raped or suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome.
“But I was able to start a new life in Australia.”
Mrs Baxter went on to move about Australia learning English and attending schools. She finally settled in Margaret River, married and works in early childhood education.
She also volunteers in a number of community groups to give back to her country that welcomed her in.
Her courageous story was met with applause from the gallery which was only surpassed when councilors voted unanimously to declare the Shire Australia’s 112th Welcome Refugee Zone.
The motion was instigated by Amnesty Margaret River in partnership with the Uniting Church and Tig Le House who hope to make Australia a welcoming place for refugees so they can enjoy the success Mrs Baxter has had.
Deputy Shire President Lyn Serventy was pleased the motion was passed and had a connection with Mrs Baxter’s story.
Cr Serventy used to live in Darwin and was involved with groups trying to assist the refugees from the conflict.
She worked with other people to set up radio communication to send word to media outlets and was involved, in a small way, to organise a boat to send medical supplies.
“We have quite a strong Amnesty group in town which have been together for a number of years now,” Cr Serventy said.
“The announcement gives local government the chance to express and opinion that may be head in federal levels.”
