Ellie's relieved she can stay

TIM EDMUNDSAlbany Advertiser
Camera IconEllie Gregory, centre, with friends Melissa Organ, Marie Stocks, Rowena Lecky and Ebony Ferry. Credit: Albany Advertiser

Ellie Gregory had almost conceded she would be forced to leave Australia and not be able to stay in the city she planned to live in with her fiance.

But late last month and less than a fortnight before she would have forced to return home to the United Kingdom, she received the news she had been anxiously hoping for since being told her prospective marriage visa would expire.

Ms Gregory was set to marry the love of her life earlier this year before her fiance, popular Albany man Jukka Guy, tragically passed away in his sleep less than a month before their wedding.

Their planned April 5 wedding was instead Mr Guy’s funeral, which was attended by more than 1000 people.

Since being told in September her visa would expire after never having the opportunity to marry Mr Guy, the Albany community has rallied behind Ms Gregory.

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Ms Gregory described the moment she received the news she had been granted permanent residency as “a bit of a blur”.

“My head feels so much lighter … it’s pretty relieving,” she said. “I was literally ready to go.”

Local calls for compassion echoed to Canberra where strong representations pushed Ms Gregory’s case in front of Immigration Minister Scott Morrison.

State and Federal politicians including Member for O’Connor Rick Wilson, Liberal Senator Dean Smith and Albany MP Peter Watson, along with those who cherished the company of Mr Guy, helped persuade Mr Morrison into letting Ms Gregory stay.

“It was really overwhelming,” Ms Gregory said. “It’s good to live somewhere where people care.”

Mr Wilson said the support of the Albany community was a touching demonstration of the warmth and care they felt for Ms Gregory and the family and friends of Mr Guy.

“While I personally raised Ellie’s situation with the Minister for Immigration, I would like to acknowledge the efforts of Liberal Senator Dean Smith and the bipartisan support of Peter Watson, the local Member for Albany,” Mr Wilson said.

“Both of them worked on Ellie’s behalf during this difficult period.”

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