On my way down George St bumped into the large crowd that was progressing in protest against the government’s treatment of refugees. Public displays of emotion for the plight of others is so rare in Australia, that when I do see it, the passion and fevour that reverberates through the air always touches me, almost to the point of tears.

Near the head of the line was Merlin of Big Brother fame. Unless you’re completed disconnected from Australian popular culture, you’ll know of his own form of protest in which he refused to give an interview upon eviction, instead taping his mouth shut and holding up a sign that said FREE TH(E) REFUGEES.

Unfortunately I think the message was a little lost in translation as two fourteen year old girls in puffy jackets spotted him and started screaming hysterically “OMIGOD IT’S MERLIN! HEY MERLIN! MERLIN!” And then ran into the nearby KFC to show their friends the “celebrity”.