Liza Shaw and Rohan, whose chance meeting in 1998 in Lismore, New South Wales, blossomed into a lifelong partnership, were forever changed by their shared experience at a refugee detention centre protest. A road trip to Woomera in 2001 – the site of the contentious facility – became an unexpected catalyst for deepening their emotional connection.
The journey to the Australian desert was driven by their conviction that social activism and compassion could bring about change. Established under the Howard government, Woomera detention centre had become a symbol of Australia's complex asylum seeker policies. Shaw played a crucial role in providing medical aid to injured protesters, while Rohan assisted with setting up the camp.
The atmosphere at the protest site was marked by tension and chaos, with Shaw recounting several traumatic incidents. She vividly recalled the police crackdown on the first night, leaving her in a state of high alert. The harrowing spectacle of refugees attempting to escape from their detention cells still lingers in her memory – a mother passing her child to Rohan through a small opening in the fence being a particularly poignant moment.
As the protests subsided, Shaw and Rohan found solace in a hotel room in Port Augusta, where they held each other and wept together. This shared moment of vulnerability marked a turning point in their relationship, as Shaw came to appreciate Rohan's unwavering emotional support – a constant presence she had never experienced before.
Over two decades later, their bond remains unbroken. They have lived in Darwin, explored Asia, and settled in Castlemaine with their daughter, Ksenya. While their activist fervour has waned with parenthood, they continue to contribute positively: Rohan as a teacher in disadvantaged schools and Shaw as a health promotion officer. For Shaw, Rohan's supportive nature as a father and his generous spirit remain unchanged – an enduring safe space she cherishes.