When writer and political activist Assefa Tarekegne fled his home country Ethiopia in 1998 for Kenya and was ultimately granted asylum in Australia, his expectations on his new country were modest. "I am not expecting anything but to be safe. After that anything is possible." Today, he works as a security guard on Sydney's train network. So - does he resent having lost his dissident political role? "I see the freedom and ability to express myself more important than the expression itself."

Reunited after more than 3 years of separation, Assefa, wife Kelemua and their two sons Afewok and Eyakem chill out after having celebrated a birthday. "It's the first time we actually have the ease of remembering birthdays. Before, we were too traumatised."