President of the group, Bev Holland, said the confronting images of a Syrian toddler who drowned, along with his brother and mother, as they tried to reach Greece,  should spark compassion in Australians.

“I feel so ashamed of our government’s policy. If you had bombs dropped where you lived wouldn’t you want to just take your children and run to a safe place?” Mrs Holland asked.

Maureen Aylmer said she was disgusted with Australia’s policy and its response to the growing humanitarian crisis.

“Our nation is listed 47th in the world when it comes to offering help and support for these poor people,” she said.

Neil Jones cannot understand why there is an incredible outpouring of support and grief in Australia over major tragedies such as tsunamis, yet the government remains unmoved by the current crisis.

“In some ways there is a feeling of helplessness, but in other ways there is so much we could be doing,” he said.

Over the last 18 months the group has been lobbying for  the government to change its hard-line asylum seeker policy, and have held public meetings, led by refugee advocate and author Robin de Crespigney, Refugee Council of Australia  president Phil Glendenning and representatives from Amnesty International.

Rowan Jaffray said she was ashamed of the nation’s current policies.

“Just because people flee their countries because of the danger doesn’t mean they won’t want to go back when it is safe, we have to help them now,” she said.

“Australia’s position on the whole thing is distressing and heartless,”said Helen Croke.

Mr Jones encourages people to go online and find out how they can help.

janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au