Bring Sam's Family Home to the Alice
Donation protected
For over 8 months, friends of Sam and Roberta have watched them in their quest of trying to get Roberta and the boys back home. They have ridden the rollercoaster ride of having hope… and then seeing it snatched away from them multiple times. Sam and Roberta are very private people and we their friends asked them if we could assist them in some way. Sam and Roberta did not initiate this fundraiser, but we have witnessed the emotional toil this enforced separation has taken on them.
Here is their story, and if you are able to assist in any way, we know they would be forever grateful.
Sam and Roberta’s Story.
In December 2019, my family and I travelled to Italy to spend time with my wife’s family. Roberta is from Calabria, and had not seen her family for more than four years. As our sons, Marcello (9), Federico (7) and Alessio (2) are still young, we thought it a great idea for them to have an immersion and spend six months in Italy, learn the language and have some Italian family time, grandparent time. Something they rarely get.
I left my family in Italy and returned to Australia on January 18th 2020. The plan was for me to return to Italy for a month over the Easter break, then for another month over the mid-year break, and return to Australia in July with the whole family; giving them a full six months immersion. Work had granted me leave to make my return trips to Italy and leaving Italy in January the plan appeared well organised.
Unfortunately, Italy was brought to a grinding halt when COVID-19 struck in late February. Within days travel to and from Italy was impossible. No flights out and no flights in. Fortunately, my family were in the south of Italy, and most of the major danger was in the north. We found solace in this idea, that despite the fact I could not get to them and more importantly we could not get them out of Italy, they were about as safe as one could be, while still in Italy.
Time passed, we had hoped that maybe by Easter the Italian situation would have changed and flights resumed. However, that never happened. We resigned ourselves to the idea that I would not be able to get to them, nor would they be able to get back to Australia, by Easter. We looked to the future, to June and July. Flights were difficult, Italy had shut up its boarders and for a parent on her own with three young children, returning to Australia was looking far too daunting. At the time, returning to Australia, on the minimal flights available, meant Roberta and the boys would firstly have to do the flight on their own, then quarantine at the international port for two weeks in a hotel room and then quarantine at a hotel in Alice Springs for a further two weeks. One month locked in a hotel room with three young boys on your own is too big an ask.
From March, Italy imposed its very strict lock-down measures and Roberta and the boys found themselves locked in the house for the following three months. We focused on the positives, they were with family, the boys were learning the language, and despite the fact that they were locked in and the entire world had shut down, this is what we had set out for them to do; spend time with the Italian family and learn the language. We prayed that they remained safe and hoped that the situation would resolve itself soon enough. There was no other option.
By May, all of our flights had been cancelled and any option of return later in the year had been dashed as Australia had by then begun to deal with its own cases of COVID-19. It was not until July, that the Northern Territory government changed its rules about quarantining, lifting restrictions. If Roberta and the boys returned, they would only have to quarantine at the international port. I then began looking at tickets for their return, as two weeks quarantining with three little boys was an achievable idea. Unfortunately, no less than two days later the federal government changed its rules around returning to Australia, effectively halving the amount of available seats and insisting the traveller pay the cost of quarantining. As a result tickets became harder to get and considerably more expensive. Around this time, I was advised that unless I was traveling with the family, I would not be able to quarantine with them. Our thought was that two parents quarantining for the two weeks with the three boys would be easier than one. However, I was not allowed to leave Australia. In July, I applied for exemption. I asked for exemption to leave in the first week of September. I picked September as it meant my work obligations would not be too affected. So, we patiently waited. At this point, I have not heard about the result of my request for exemption. However, due to the cost of flights the exemption option is now redundant, as it would mean a considerable extra amount of money.
About a month ago, I got a reasonable quote for an economy ticket for Roberta and the boys to return home. Unfortunately, in trying to sort out how Roberta and the boys would get to Rome, we were unable to secure the tickets. The price jumped from $6700 to $35,000. This was as a result of the Australian Federal government extending the current international caps through to mid-October. This change automatically added a minimum of another three months to our separation. As far as an economy ticket goes, they appear unsecure, as many airlines are bumping economy tickets in favour of more expensive tickets to cover costs.
With the current situation in Melbourne and the Federal Government rules around international travel, the cost of returning and the ability to do so is becoming more and more expensive and harder.
Out of necessity, I have secured business class tickets for the family to return to Australia on November 1st, the next most reasonable priced date. A week earlier is an extra $5000. As far as I can tell and as far as I have been informed, there is a great deal of confusion and animosity about economy tickets. The airlines are selling tickets, at affordable prices, for dates outside of the current government restrictions; however, when the government extends the restrictions the airlines are forced to bump people from the flights. They are giving priority to business and first-class tickets, with the cheaper more affordable tickets being forced to wait many days/weeks or longer for an available seat, or purchase a more expensive ticket. As Roberta’s family are six hours by train away from Rome, and she is forced to travel on her own with three young children, it is a too big a risk and too difficult for her to be repeatedly bumped from flight to flight. Therefore, there is no option but business class tickets if we are to see each other anytime in the near future. By the time quarantine and return travel are finished, it will have cost us approximately $20,000, if our current tickets are not bumped and forced to upgrade to even more expensive tickets.
It was never our intention to be separated for so long, nor was it to have ended up in such a situation. From the beginning of the pandemic, every decision we have made was based around the idea of each of us staying safe, and keeping those around us safe. However, time has gone on and on, and the situation shows no sign of improvement. When Italy improved, Australia began to suffer, and visa-versa. Either way, our situation has become harder and harder. We have been patient. At no point was an easier option available. It has now been more than eight months since I have seen my wife and children. It is going to be at least eleven months by the time we can get them back. We are a young., loving family who just wish to be together.
Thank you,
Sam Muir
Here is their story, and if you are able to assist in any way, we know they would be forever grateful.
Sam and Roberta’s Story.
In December 2019, my family and I travelled to Italy to spend time with my wife’s family. Roberta is from Calabria, and had not seen her family for more than four years. As our sons, Marcello (9), Federico (7) and Alessio (2) are still young, we thought it a great idea for them to have an immersion and spend six months in Italy, learn the language and have some Italian family time, grandparent time. Something they rarely get.
I left my family in Italy and returned to Australia on January 18th 2020. The plan was for me to return to Italy for a month over the Easter break, then for another month over the mid-year break, and return to Australia in July with the whole family; giving them a full six months immersion. Work had granted me leave to make my return trips to Italy and leaving Italy in January the plan appeared well organised.
Unfortunately, Italy was brought to a grinding halt when COVID-19 struck in late February. Within days travel to and from Italy was impossible. No flights out and no flights in. Fortunately, my family were in the south of Italy, and most of the major danger was in the north. We found solace in this idea, that despite the fact I could not get to them and more importantly we could not get them out of Italy, they were about as safe as one could be, while still in Italy.
Time passed, we had hoped that maybe by Easter the Italian situation would have changed and flights resumed. However, that never happened. We resigned ourselves to the idea that I would not be able to get to them, nor would they be able to get back to Australia, by Easter. We looked to the future, to June and July. Flights were difficult, Italy had shut up its boarders and for a parent on her own with three young children, returning to Australia was looking far too daunting. At the time, returning to Australia, on the minimal flights available, meant Roberta and the boys would firstly have to do the flight on their own, then quarantine at the international port for two weeks in a hotel room and then quarantine at a hotel in Alice Springs for a further two weeks. One month locked in a hotel room with three young boys on your own is too big an ask.
From March, Italy imposed its very strict lock-down measures and Roberta and the boys found themselves locked in the house for the following three months. We focused on the positives, they were with family, the boys were learning the language, and despite the fact that they were locked in and the entire world had shut down, this is what we had set out for them to do; spend time with the Italian family and learn the language. We prayed that they remained safe and hoped that the situation would resolve itself soon enough. There was no other option.
By May, all of our flights had been cancelled and any option of return later in the year had been dashed as Australia had by then begun to deal with its own cases of COVID-19. It was not until July, that the Northern Territory government changed its rules about quarantining, lifting restrictions. If Roberta and the boys returned, they would only have to quarantine at the international port. I then began looking at tickets for their return, as two weeks quarantining with three little boys was an achievable idea. Unfortunately, no less than two days later the federal government changed its rules around returning to Australia, effectively halving the amount of available seats and insisting the traveller pay the cost of quarantining. As a result tickets became harder to get and considerably more expensive. Around this time, I was advised that unless I was traveling with the family, I would not be able to quarantine with them. Our thought was that two parents quarantining for the two weeks with the three boys would be easier than one. However, I was not allowed to leave Australia. In July, I applied for exemption. I asked for exemption to leave in the first week of September. I picked September as it meant my work obligations would not be too affected. So, we patiently waited. At this point, I have not heard about the result of my request for exemption. However, due to the cost of flights the exemption option is now redundant, as it would mean a considerable extra amount of money.
About a month ago, I got a reasonable quote for an economy ticket for Roberta and the boys to return home. Unfortunately, in trying to sort out how Roberta and the boys would get to Rome, we were unable to secure the tickets. The price jumped from $6700 to $35,000. This was as a result of the Australian Federal government extending the current international caps through to mid-October. This change automatically added a minimum of another three months to our separation. As far as an economy ticket goes, they appear unsecure, as many airlines are bumping economy tickets in favour of more expensive tickets to cover costs.
With the current situation in Melbourne and the Federal Government rules around international travel, the cost of returning and the ability to do so is becoming more and more expensive and harder.
Out of necessity, I have secured business class tickets for the family to return to Australia on November 1st, the next most reasonable priced date. A week earlier is an extra $5000. As far as I can tell and as far as I have been informed, there is a great deal of confusion and animosity about economy tickets. The airlines are selling tickets, at affordable prices, for dates outside of the current government restrictions; however, when the government extends the restrictions the airlines are forced to bump people from the flights. They are giving priority to business and first-class tickets, with the cheaper more affordable tickets being forced to wait many days/weeks or longer for an available seat, or purchase a more expensive ticket. As Roberta’s family are six hours by train away from Rome, and she is forced to travel on her own with three young children, it is a too big a risk and too difficult for her to be repeatedly bumped from flight to flight. Therefore, there is no option but business class tickets if we are to see each other anytime in the near future. By the time quarantine and return travel are finished, it will have cost us approximately $20,000, if our current tickets are not bumped and forced to upgrade to even more expensive tickets.
It was never our intention to be separated for so long, nor was it to have ended up in such a situation. From the beginning of the pandemic, every decision we have made was based around the idea of each of us staying safe, and keeping those around us safe. However, time has gone on and on, and the situation shows no sign of improvement. When Italy improved, Australia began to suffer, and visa-versa. Either way, our situation has become harder and harder. We have been patient. At no point was an easier option available. It has now been more than eight months since I have seen my wife and children. It is going to be at least eleven months by the time we can get them back. We are a young., loving family who just wish to be together.
Thank you,
Sam Muir
Organizer and beneficiary
Paul Bailey
Organizer
White Gums NT
Sam Muir
Beneficiary
