Jane's Indian Feast

When Jane, a Malaysian Tamil, arrived in Australia in 2016, her journey had been five or six years in the planning. She could never have foreseen that she would still be living with the uncertainty of a bridging visa eight years later.

Jane had worked multiple jobs to save enough money to leave Malaysia and announced her plans to her family the day before she left. Life in Malaysia for people from the Tamil community can be very challenging, facing persecution, discrimination and lacking access to essentials or fair treatment by the justice system.

“One day, I booked the tickets, and I told my parents,” she says. “Then suddenly it all happened!”

A year after arriving in Australia as a person seeking asylum, Jane connected with the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC). Since then, the ASRC has provided her with essential support including food, nappies for her baby, and English classes.

Unable to seek paid employment due to her visa conditions but still wanting to contribute to the community, Jane decided to become a volunteer at the ASRC Foodbank in Dandenong. Volunteering has brought unexpected joy to Jane’s life. Volunteering keeps her busy, and it has also given her a sense of belonging, companionship and new friendships.

“I made a friend, which I didn’t have previously!” she says. “There are a lot of friends here. And Kate, the ASRC Foodbank coordinator - she is a very nice person. She’s helping me a lot.”

Jane loves her life in Australia, especially the openness and friendliness of its people.

“Here, there is no judgement,” she says.“There is no criticism. I receive a lot of love and support here that I don’t receive back in my country. It’s really nice to stay here. I like this country. I love the people. Even though people don’t know me they will say hi, how are you, good morning – or good evening. It’s their little smile, it always gives me a little boost.”

Although her visa restrictions make it difficult for Jane to plan for the future, she remains hopeful – especially for her children. Besides her children and partner, Jane has no family in Australia.

“I hope my children can study here so their future will be bright and safe,” she says.

For Feast for Freedom 2025, Jane selected recipes that represent her Indian heritage.

“My recipes are traditional food, but they are not from my home country, Malaysia – they are from my grandparents’ home country,” she says. “My grandparents are from India. They came to Malaysia for a better life and they settled down there. But our roots are back in India, so the food I’m cooking represents India.”

“Food means love for me,” says Jane. “I think cooking food is the way we show love.”

Jane also chose these recipes because they are packed with flavour yet easy to cook. Most are one-pot dishes with simple steps to follow. “Aloo Gobi, Parappu Sadham, Mustard Pickle and Paayasaam are my favourites and I want you to make them so they become your favourites too”. “Even if you don’t have anything at home, I think your cupboard will have rice and dhal. You just add the spices and you have a meal.”

“I think people will enjoy cooking my recipes. I think they will feel amazing!” Jane says. “They are very beautiful recipes and colourful as well.”