Kelish to give back to the Shoalhaven community wants to become a doctor but things are not looking good and the Jain family could be sent back to India.

His family had lived in Australia for eight years, had applied for Australian citizenship several times, most recently in 2013, but was knocked back due to his mother’s age.

Kelish's mum, Minalbahen Jain is 50-years-of-age and works at the Port Kembla Enhance petrol station alongside her husband Dhanraj Jain (42) who is a store manager.

Kelish is a year 12 Nowra High student and is only months away from sitting the HSC.

If sent back to India he would have to start the last two years of school all over again.

His Nowra HIgh friends are rallying around Kelish and have an online petition going aimed at getting him to stay.

Cameron Fernie said it was ridiculous that the Jain family faced such an uncertain future.

“They are a hard working family all for the community,” Cameron said.

Kelish, who lives in North Nowra, remains hopeful of being able to stay.

“I think with the petition and all the support out there from my peers that maybe there is a chance and without all this support there was not much of a chance at all,” he said.

“I feel glad for the support and they (his friends) were all there to help from day dot.They are doing everything in their power to help me and it feel good.”

Imogen Clarke was one of the driving forces behind the petition.

“Kelish is a hard worker and I believe he deserves to stay because he works hard and his family works hard,” she said

“I think he is a contributing member of our society.”

The petition, at last count, has 1400 signatures

“We did not think it would get that much support but it’s taking off and we hope to get more so we have as much support as possible,” Imogen said.

The petition will be given to Federal Member for Gilmore Ann Sudmalis.

Kelish said they had a good meeting with Mrs Sudmalis this week.

“She will support us 100 per cent and she would have been devastated if we did not get support from the community. Yeah it (the meeting) was good,” he said.

Go to www.facebook.com/imogen.clarke.77/posts/1144098485715623 to sign the petition.

Kelish and his family have supported the community by continuously attending community events such as the Shoalhaven River Festival and Nowra Show.

Kelish has also been a valuable member of the Nowra High School winning cricket team for the past three years and won the side’s best and fairest award last year.

Kelish has also completed his bushfire fighting course and is an active member of the Nowra High School community.

He has been involved with Illaroo Soccer club as a player and has always shown full support to all players.

Kelish hopes that his family's visa can be extended long enough for him to be old enough to apply himself so he can start his tertiary education.