Liza Shaw and Rohan Wightman first met in 1998 in Lismore, New South Wales, where they were both university students. Shaw noticed Wightman around town wearing a sarong and peacock feather earrings, describing him as distinctive and dandyish, sometimes wearing dresses on campus. Although she had another partner at the time, a mutual friend introduced them, and they became housemates.
Bonding Over Dinner Parties and Politics
Living together, they bonded by hosting dinner parties where they discussed life and politics late into the night. Shaw was intrigued by Wightman's friends, including a member of the Black Panthers who once stayed at their house. After that year in Lismore, Wightman moved to Lamb Island in Queensland, and they lost contact.
Reconnection at a May Day Rally
In 2001, they reconnected at a May Day rally in Naarm (Melbourne). They went to see Mutiny, a folk punk band, at the Tote hotel. Since Shaw lived nearby, she invited Wightman to stay over. They shared some intimacy that night, but Shaw still considered it casual.
Road Trip to Woomera Protest
They began hanging out again and embarked on a road trip to attend a protest at Woomera in the South Australian desert. The Howard government had set up a detention centre where refugees were imprisoned. Shaw provided first aid for injured protesters, while Wightman helped set up the protest camp.
On the first night, they were sleeping in the back of the car when police arrived and started arresting people. Shaw was on edge and could not sleep much after that.
Traumatic Moments at the Protest
Over the days of the protest, they experienced many traumatic moments, from the first night to detained refugees coming to the fence trying desperately to escape. One incident involved a mother passing her child to Wightman through a small hole in the fence. These events took a deep emotional toll on them.
The Turning Point
After the protests wrapped up, they got a hotel room together in Port Augusta. Shaw recalls, “I remember we held each other and cried, comforting each other from the human trauma we had witnessed. I had a feeling of Rohan being my safe space where I could share this release and catharsis.” She realised they not only held the same political values but could also provide each other with deep emotional support—a feeling she had never experienced before.
Life After Woomera
Over 20 years later, they have lived in Darwin, travelled in Asia, and moved to Castlemaine. After their daughter Ksenya was born, parenting became all-consuming, and protesting took a back seat. Wightman worked as a teacher, often in disadvantaged schools, while Shaw is a health promotion officer. Shaw says, “I feel like we’re still making a positive impact for the community.”
Shaw describes Wightman as a great father who is always willing to talk through parenting challenges. “He’s definitely not an alpha male – he doesn’t display that kind of toxic masculinity, though he can be a bit despondent at the state of the world. But we still have great fun together and I love his generous spirit and sense of adventure. And when I’m with him, he’s still my safe space.”
