By Michael McKenna and Jason Gregory
13 May 05 - Courier Mail

THE Australian woman wrongfully deported to the Philippines in 2001 was yesterday reunited with her family as she made plans to return to Queensland and her two children.

A frail Vivian Young, 42, awoke early morning to be greeted by half-sister Cecilia Solon, a woman she barely recognised after being cloistered away in a Catholic-run convent, about 125km northwest of Manila, ever since her deportation from Australia.

Mrs Young was described by Ms Solon as "reserved" during the meeting, which began with a request by her long-lost sister for her first cigarette in years as she enjoyed a rare moment outside the convent's hospice, which she shared with elderly, dying women.

"She is not well," Ms Solon said. "Physically, she can't fend for herself and mentally, I don't think she is too stable."

The Philippines-born Australian woman was also interviewed by Australian consular officials, who offered immediate medical help and assistance in her passage and settlement back to Queensland where her two boys – aged 16 and nine – are living.

Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone yesterday moved to distance herself from the controversy, saying "tragic mistakes" had been made by her department but refused to accept any personal responsibility.

But Ms Young's brother Henry Solon, who lives in Brisbane and had given her up for dead, said the extended family of 14 brothers and sisters were now considering legal action over her wrongful detention and deportation.

"We are going to lobby for compensation, I am not the sort of person to go after money but we are wanting to do it not just for Vivian but the whole family," Mr Solon said.

It is understood Australian Consul-General Frank Evatt passed on the apologies of Prime Minister John Howard and Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone over Mrs Young's treatment during the meeting.

Ms Solon said her sister had initially expressed a desire to return immediately to Australia, but that she changed her mind and agreed that she was not in good enough health to make the journey.

"We have to do this one step at a time and first accept the offer of medical help," she said. In television footage capturing the meeting in the grounds of the Missionaries of Charity convent, in Olongapo City, Mrs Young was asked about her children.

"I just hope they're happy and well," she responded.

Mrs Young later asked Ms Solon: "Are you happy to see me? Are you going to look after me?"

Her former husband Robert Young, with whom she moved to Australia in 1984 before they separated in the late 1990s, said he was "naturally relieved" the mother of his child – the 16-year-old boy – had been found alive.

"We are still just digesting the news," he said.

Queensland Child Safety Minister Mike Reynolds said the younger boy, in foster care since early 2001, was made aware of his mother's situation. "(He) is receiving relevant counselling and support," Mr Reynolds said.

In mid-2001, Mrs Young, who is also known as Vivian Alvarez, was admitted to hospital after a car accident near Lismore, in northern NSW.

It was at Lismore Hospital where Mrs Young came to the attention of Australian Immigration officials and detained after being discharged.

Mrs Young was deported about a week later.

She had been missing ever since.

Despite immigration officials launching an international hunt, she was only found when Australian Catholic priest Michael Duffin, who lives opposite the convent, recognised her name on a television report last Saturday night about the scandal.

Father Duffin said Mrs Young had told him she wanted to return to Australian soon.

"She told me she wants to go back in the next few weeks," he said.

Ms Solon said she had asked her sister why she did not contact her family, living in Cebu, after her deportation to the Philippines.

"She told me she had forgotten she had a family, maybe because of the car accident," she said.