Our stories

Gemma’s newborn journey
Gemma was pregnant, scared and homeless. Now she has hope Like many people seeking asylum in Australia, Gemma was homeless and struggling to survive. She shared her journey with the team at the Romero Centre. This is her story. Gemma fled from Sudan Sudan is a war-ravaged country in north-eastern Africa

Aida’s unique challenge
Life went beyond her control There’s nothing more wonderful than the experience of sharing the first few weeks with your new baby. It can also be a very challenging time. Imagine the mixture of emotions Aida was facing as an asylum seeker with little income and a newborn baby! We shared

Tran finds courage
Needing expertise and finding courage There is often discussion about defining the ‘hardest thing about being an asylum seeker’. Everyone agrees that trying to find food and accommodation with little, or no money are the most immediate challenges. Beyond these basic human needs, you could probably imagine the sadness of

Abida seeks safety
Seeking safety and support People who are fleeing from dangerous countries are trying to escape persecution and need safety. It’s as simple as that. But for hundreds of people in the Brisbane area, their life is anything but simple – it’s complicated and frightening. We met Abida, who is affected

Yadu’s story
Sharing Yadu’s journey Many people live in countries where simply belonging to an ethnic minority means discrimination, persecution and ongoing harassment. When political landscapes shift and authorities are unwilling to provide safety – the only choice is to flee and seek asylum in another country. We met Yadu six years
Our news

Sense of purpose motivates Romero Centre volunteer of 15 years
Sense of purpose motivates Romero Centre volunteer of 15 years Meet Julie Upton, one of our dedicated volunteers In a quiet corner of inner-city Brisbane nestled between old wooden Queenslander cottages, is a modest refuge for those who have fled their homes seeking safety and a chance at a new

From Struggle to Success: Refugees make a fresh start at Brisbane engineering firm
From Struggle to Success Refugees make a fresh start at Brisbane engineering firm In an inspiring collaboration, Mercy Community’s Romero Centre and Logix Engineering have partnered to provide refugees and asylum seekers with much-needed experience through a series of successful work placements. In March 2021, the wholly Australian-owned Brisbane firm,

Romero Welcome Walk 2023 – a beacon of hope, generosity for asylum seekers and refugees
Romero Welcome Walk 2023 A beacon of hope, generosity for asylum seekers and refugees More than 170 people raised $20,000 in the third annual Romero Welcome Walk celebrated at West End on Sunday, 18 June. Freshly brewed coffee greeted the early morning walkers, and the sun came out just in