At the same time, there will be a mass rally in Canberra with representatives of dozens of groups calling on the government and the opposition to get “Kids Off Nauru”. This is part of a national campaign endorsed by more than 220 organisations to have kids freed from detention by Universal Children’s Day, November 20.

In Taree, RAR supporters and friends will gather outside the former newsagency, next to Jack and Co, near the entrance to Taree City Centre in Manning Street.

“We want to show that 'Australians Say No to Kids in Detention' and call on the government to ensure the safe resettlement of asylum seekers and refugees from Nauru and Manus,” Manning RAR convenor, Lesley Bond said.

“We will invite the public to sign a petition/letter to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, to show they share our concerns. 

“The government's current regional offshore processing policy has caused enormous damage to the detainees and to Australia’s reputation and has come at a huge financial cost. It’s time to end this policy.

“Every day refugee and human rights advocates, doctors and others are speaking out about the rapidly worsening situation for children detained on the Pacific island of  Nauru. 

“They have warned that a mental-health crisis on Nauru is exploding as hundreds of asylum seekers stranded there lose hope of making it to their intended destination: Australia.

“Adults and children are suffering from depression, anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder, ‘traumatic withdrawal syndrome’ or ‘resignation syndrome’ leading to significant levels of self harm and suicidal attempts.” 

In the past week, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, has been forced by the Nauruan government to leave the island. MSF has called for the immediate evacuation of all asylum seekers and refugees from Nauru and an end to Australia’s offshore detention policy.

Lesley said there are still 95 children held on Nauru who have spent all their lives or more than four years in detention because their parents were seeking protection. “Locking up children is never the answer,” she said

“Readers who share our concerns may like to sign online petitions/ letters from other groups such as Refugee Council of Australia petition – Kids Off Nauru; GetUp Petition – Demand Politicians get #KidsOffNauru; ASRC Petition to evacuate Kids Off Nauru in 100 days; PLAN International – Add your name to get #kidsoffnauru; Amnesty International – End the harm and bring the kids in detention on Nauru to Australia.”