The inspirational, heart-wrenching and hair-raising stories of refugees who have found safety and new a life in Australia are told in compelling, first-hand detail in a new book.

Refugee Heroes: has collected the visceral accounts of dozens of refugees who have fled conflict or persecution and begun new lives in Australia.

From Afghanistan, Ukraine Myanmar, Tibet, Syria, Iraq and beyond the book recounts the deeply human journeys of people who have had to flee their homes; and it reveals their hopes and dreams for their future.

It includes the story of Ukrainian sisters Yevheniia and Alexandra who found refuge in Australia after braving bombs and snipers in a desperate journey to safety. The sisters fled besieged Kharkiv as Russian tanks attempted to encircle the city. After surviving bombing and missile strikes, the sisters were put aboard a train by their parents in the precarious hope they would reach safety.

The book tells the story of Afghan journalist Khalid Amiri who made it into the besieged Kabul airport and aboard flight to safety during the dramatic evacuation last year thanks to the personal intervention of an Australian government minister. 

And there is also the tale of Tibetan couple Palden and Tashi, who made perilous month-long journeys over the highest mountains in the world to find new lives in peace and safety.

‘Refugee Heroes’ tells the stories of people who have fled situations of conflict and violence from more than a dozen countries. It puts a human face to the conflicts tensions and repressive regimes and explains the political and social factors that have contributed to the unprecedented number of conflict and humanitarian emergencies around the world.    

Author Laurie Nowell said the book was aimed at building awareness about the reasons refugees come to Australia and the contributions they make as well as the fact there are now an unprecedented 100 million displaced people across the globe.

“Many of the refugees who settle in Australia have experienced trauma, torture or the loss of loved ones. They bring with them memories, traditions, culture and history,” Mr Nowell said.

“They also bring with them hopes, dreams and ambitions for their children. They are, by definition, resilient and ingenious people who have overcome challenges and dangers just to get here,” he said.

“Refugees have always, and still, have a lot to offer this country,” Mr Nowell said

CEO of refugee settlement agency AMES Australia Cath Scarth said the book was a reminder of the contributions refugees make to Australia.

“Refugees bring with them resilience, optimism and a deep work ethic. Australia is fortunate to have people with these qualities,” Ms Scarth said.

‘Refugee Stories’ is about the experiences and the hopes and aspirations of refugees who have made Australia home.

Released by Wilkinson Publishing, the book tells the inspirational stories of ordinary people forced by circumstances beyond their control to make extraordinary physical and emotional journeys to safety and freedom.

Funds raised by the sale of the book will go to support refugees and asylum seekers in need.

‘Refugee Heroes’, Laurie Nowell, Wilkinson Publishing, $29.99 RRP, available from www.wilkinsonpublishing.com.au or at

Refugee Heroes, Amazing People from Ukraine, Afghanistan and Across Our World by Laurie Nowell | 9781922810144 | Booktopia