Blanka Dudas wants to change the way Australians think about asylum seekers. “People are naturally fearful of the unknown and many people think asylum seekers are a threat,” she told SBS. “I really believe that if we met them, if we gave them a chance, if we knew their stories…that we would hug them and welcome them, and not vilify them.” The 44-year-old fled her home in former Yugoslavia with only the clothes on her back at the age of 19. She lived in the United Kingdom for six years before moving to Australia and building a successful career as a make-up artist.

Source: Former refugee launches ‘I Came By Boat’ campaign to highlight migrant contribution | SBS News