RASRA

Abdul Razzak can best be described as a fighter. After surviving attempted murder in Pakistan, his wife and he sought asylum in Australia. With no work rights or money, life began to swirl into a pool of despair. To top things, his wife Lubna fell sick and was admitted to hospital. The couple soon found their way into the care of Monash Health's Refugee Health service who helped them move 'from surviving to thriving'.

Abdul began to volunteer here to help other asylum seekers. His greatest contribution was the initiation of the All Nations Social Cricket program, that has seen over 100 asylum seekers connecting with the community through the sport. He was instrumental in creating the Victorian Seeker Cup, and has led the team in games against secondary colleges. He also initiated the Victorian Deaf Cricket team.

Abdul was recently invited as a guest panelist at a Cricket Victoria conference where he was commended for advocating for the greater inclusion of asylum seekers and refugees in club cricket. Cricket Australia also recognised the contribution he makes to the community by inducting him as a ‘Cricket Australia Community Ambassador’, where he regularly volunteers his time to promote cricket. His personal sacrifice, passion and integrity is inspirational, providing an example for all people to follow.

Ali Khan arrived in Australia at the tender age of 17 after fleeing from the discrimination meted out against the minority Hazara community (to which he belonged) in Afghanistan. This year Ali was awarded the “Monash Asylum Seeker Bursary” scholarship and he began to pursue his Bachelor in Arts and Law. His initial few weeks were tough as he had to study in English, which was not his first language. His hard work and perseverance helped him transform his life, and Ali spends a lot of his time tutoring VCE students from asylum seeker and refugee backgrounds. We commend him for his achievement.

Alia Sultana is a Hazara woman who is inspiring her community in Australia as well as being an uplifting leader and entrepreneur. She is the vice-president of The Australian Hazara Women's Friendship Network (AHWFN), an organisation that she started together with other Hazara women living in Melbourne. Since its foundation Alia has dedicated her time as a volunteer to support newly-arrived Hazara women to start a new life by translating documents and helping them to access the basic necessities they require.

They run classes with English, citizenship, driving and computer courses for Hazara women in the community. Besides this, Alia is the creator of AMI Catering and she joined SisterWorks Inc., a Melbourne based organisation dedicated to supporting migrant and refugee women to become entrepreneurs. Through her passion for food and business skills she is creating awareness around the need for supporting refugees’ talents in Australia. She is a true inspiration to refugee women and the broader community.

Andrew Gai was born in Bor, a small village in the war torn part of South Sudan. When he was 15 years old, he fled to Uganda three years before the civil war ended. After spending four years there, Andrew arrived in Australia with his sister and her family. His education was equivalent to a Year Seven level student in Australia. He wished to study high school but was turned down because of his age. This did not demoralise Andrew - he learnt English and studied at RMIT University while working night shifts at a factory. During this time, Andrew also volunteered and helped several young students, and co-founded the South Sudanese-Australian Academic Society Inc. in 2014.

Some of Andrew’s current roles include assisting people in the Sudanese community in areas of education and employment, from fixing a resume to providing advice to young people on career pathways. Andrew believes “it’s never too late to turn someone’s life around to a right path” and he will do whatever it takes to help people reach their full potential.

Aran Mylvaganam was born in Nagar Kovil in Northern Sri Lanka. Between 1995 and 1997 he lived in a refugee camp in Udayarkaddu, before coming to Australia as a 13-year-old unaccompanied refugee in 1997. In 2011 he founded the Tamil Refugee Council and has supported asylum seekers and refugees in detention and out of detention. Aran currently works as a union organiser with the Finance Sector Union and is the spokesperson for the Tamil Refugee Council.

Baqir Khan spends most of his time volunteering and working hard towards improving lives of the asylum seekers and refugees in Australia and helping them live with “dignity and grace”. He has volunteered at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) and helped people realise their goals. Baqir also co-developed for the ASRC the “model of symbiotic innovation”, an interactive mode of engaging with services and programs. He started the member volunteer program and helped refugees improve their English skills and social opportunities.

During his free time, Baqir helps other refugees set up their business, and has also helped make documentary films and launch art exhibitions. His support has helped so many asylum seekers lead better lives.

Barat Ali Batoor is an Afghani photojournalist and filmmaker. A self-taught photojournalist, he risked his life as he worked for organizations like the UN, the American Embassy and other NGOs. He fled his homeland in 2012 after receiving threatening phone calls for his work on the sex trafficking of young dancing boys which went viral on the internet overnight. Batoor decided to flee his country but also promised to record the hardships asylum seekers face while running away. He recorded the first footage inside a refugee boat and captured the fears and struggles when the boat crashed.

His journey after coming to Australia has been inspiring. He volunteers tirelessly helping other members of the Hazara community. He has been nominated as the “Refugee week ambassador of the refugee council of Australia” and has won the highest award for photojournalism in Australia, “The Walkley Award”. He also won the “photo of the year” and won “best photo essay” for his images of the journey. His “fighting” attitude and his service to the refugee community make him a true champion.

Donstan is the quiet achiever. He knows what it is like to sleep on the floor in a Melbourne winter, wrapped only in the curtain from the window. So now he volunteers tirelessly, 7 days a week at Friends of Refugees to deliver free furniture and other essentials to new families.

For the past two years he has greeted new asylum seekers with a smile and made sure they had some food and a place to sleep. He co-founded the bike repair workshop – giving out more than 1500 free bikes to families. He also runs a garden maintenance program, arriving with mower and tools to assist asylum seekers keep their gardens in order.

He was awarded the highest recognition at Friends of Refugees celebration.

Elaine and Geoff have been a tower of strength over many years for recent arrivals in the Dandenong area. Their cheerful, tactful and friendly manner have endeared them to all those around them - men, women and children alike. They have facilitated the settlement of many, many people during a time when government settlement assistance was often inadequate for basic needs.
Elaine and Geoff also gave a lot of practical assistance, including buying, organising and sending parcels of goods that were desperately needed. They helped asylum seekers maintain their spirits and dignity, showing them they had not been forgotten by the outside world. They provided enormous assistance to many individuals and families, many of whom were struggling to settle in because of medical and emotional difficulties they brought with them as a result of both their detention and their refugee experiences, not to mention cultural, financial and language barriers. The couple counselled and helped many get through these difficult times without taking anything in return. They are truly inspirational and have shown the world that Australia does care.

Emmanuel Ndayisaba was born in Rwanda, fifth born in a family of 8 (one girl and seven boys). His father was a university mathematics professor, as well as having been appointed to be the mayor of the region,  and his mother was a primary school teacher. After the genocide in his country, and unable to go back home, and unable to be recognised in any country, he was left in a limbo where he could not study beyond high school, work or do anything... There was no hope, nor future. All this changed when he was accepted by Australia as an offshore humanitarian refugee. 4 years ago, he joined the University of Adelaide to pursue a career in Health Sciences and Public Health. He later trained as a medical doctor and today, he is a postgraduate medical student at the University of Notre Dame Sydney.

“Welcome the stranger, care for those in need, feed the hungry, care for the sick, comfort those who are grieving, listen to those who come seeking help” this motto has been followed very diligently by Fr Peter Carrucan, the parish priest of Holy Eucharist Parish, St Albans South. The influx of post war migrants and refugees from communist countries in the 1950s led to the rapid growth of the western suburbs. Responding to all calls for help, Fr Peter sought the support of every service available. He started a NILS (no interest loan scheme) where refugees could borrow money without interest and repay the loan over a certain period of time. He sought permission from the Archdiocese to finance the purchase of a house to give temporary accommodation to homeless families. He appealed for clothing, food and assistance from the parishioners to help the newly arrived in whatever way was possible.

Fr Peter still continues to “Welcome the Stranger” and spread love despite retiring. His passion for supporting those seeking refuge never seems to tire and makes him a true champion.

Habib Manavi is a newly arrived refugee who survived when most around him did not. At a tender age Habib came to Australia by boat with no family or friend. He was a survivor of a terrible accident at sea when most of those with him perished.
Once in Australia Habib forged links where ever he could, taking advantage of any opportunity to join in and contribute. He joins in events and programs for asylum seekers and refugees, and also programs assisting social harmony, community integration and settlement.He has now finished school and is studying Diploma in IT at RMIT and is about to start a traineeship at Infoxchange, a social enterprise.
Habib is actively involved at UCAN2 and volunteers with Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY) He brings experience and knowledge of newly arrived refugees and migrants to inform program and policy response. He joins in other class and extracurricular activities.He is a member of the Refugee Community Advocacy Network (RCAN) at the Refugee Council.
Habib is currently undertaking a leadership program -New and Emerging Communities Leadership Program (NECLP) at Leadership Victoria.

Since July 2013, Helen Sheikhan has volunteered to cook for UNOH’s Welcome Meal every week in Dandenong catering for 30-50 people. She is a very talented cook with a passion for her own Persian culture and cuisine. Helen is also a volunteer at a playgroup facilitated by UNOH workers at Harrisfield Primary School, Welcome Home picnics, Dandenong Minister’s Fellowship and at Friends of Refugees. Despite facing an uncertain future for her family in Australia, Helen, has actively engaged with the Australian community. She has a warm heart that reaches out to others.

Hussain came to Australia in early 2012 as a refugee. After 5 months he obtained his permanent visa.
In 2013 he completed his Masters degree in film and TV at RMIT University.
In his professional work he directed the ‘In Pit Lane’ and ‘Broke’. He was also the camera operator for ‘Dance Quiz’ for channel 31. In 2014 he made a 28 minute documentary about Hazaras. The film is “HAZARAS Darkness, Challenges and Hope”.
Hussain is very active in sports and he took up taekwondo in 2012 at RMIT Taekwondo club, under instructor of Grandmaster Robert Lai and Master Jason Lai. He was a Silver Medallist of the Oceanic Championships (Brisbane) 2012, and won the National and Victorian (state) championships of 2013, where he got 2 gold medals. He also won a silver medal at the 5th International Martial Arts Games in Melbourne 2013.  Hussain was again became the Victorian Champion of 2014 (won gold), as well as winning a gold medal from RMIT Taekwondo championships in the same year. He is currently a member of CHITF Taekwondo of Australia.

John Gulzari is a human rights activist based in Dandenong. He has over ten years experience with community development. Gulzari was born in Afghanistan of the minority Hazara community. His family fled violence to Pakistan in the 1990s and paid people smugglers to get John to Indonesia and on to a boat, arriving in Australia in 1999. He has won several volunteering awards from City of Greater Dandenong. He is the first Afghan refugee to run for the Victorian Parliament.

Khan Hazara came to Australia by boat in Nov 2009. He was detained at Christmas Island then released into community with few clothes and shoes. When he arrived in Melbourne he immediately started studying for a certificate in business management and later did his diploma. He worked night shift whilst continuing with study and later worked at a small wholesale bakery, managing three employees. He hardly slept but now he owns several shops and employs 10 people. Starting with nothing, he now has multi-million dollar assets, donates to the refugee community and assists his Hazara people who are victims of terrorism .
He has also funded many projects including a movie about the plight of Hazara refugees, called the Darkness Challenge and many other refugee cultural and social events. He is at the forefront of advocating on behalf of refugees in general as well as role model for our youth. He employs local refugees and trains young peopleHe is very active in the field of Business recently winning the Casey youngest business title.
He is a Philanthropist supporting charities and local refugee organisations

Six years ago, Luz Restrepo, a political asylum seeker, arrived in Australia with no contacts, very little English and no employment. Luz had left her successful communications business to protect her family under threat. She started SisterWorks, a social enterprise dedicated to support migrant and refugee background women. As a leader and social entrepreneur, Luz has facilitated women to gather their collective strengths, creativity and resources to rebuild their lives, confidence, self-esteem and financial security.

Luz brings to SisterWorks inspirational leadership, marketing and network skills and a vision of women of many cultures supporting each other through working together. As a strong advocate for refugee women’s empowerment, Luz’s stories of women’s success from adversity have inspired many people.

Mas Mai is Burmese who has established the Free Burma Cafe in Springvale as well as supporting the Burmese community in many ways. Mas Mai is a leader in the community with an inclusive style and a focus on building harmony and inclusion. The Free Burma Cafe became an outward demonstration of Burmese food and culture and hub for community support. Now it operates as Free Burma Catering.

Mohammad Ali Baqiri did not have a normal childhood. While other children were going to school and playing, he spent three years in a detention centre in Nauru. Mohammad now advocates for the freedom of other people seeking asylum. He spent 2015 as a Youth Ambassador with the ChillOut organisation and is currently pursuing a double degree in Law and Business at Victoria University. He has spoken at schools, rallies, forums and on platforms such as ABC television’s Q&A and at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre's Youth Action Project.
An active and dedicated young member of Australia, Mohammad dedicates hours of his time working for more humane and just policies in Australia.

Rahmutullah Sharifi and Najib Amin fled certain death from the Taliban in Afghanistan fifteen years ago. They were among 438 people loaded onto a wooden vessel in Indonesia, heading for Christmas Island. Life wasn’t easy after they arrived in Australia as jobs required resumes and neither of them had one. After working as fruit pickers and broiler makers for a couple of years, the pair decided to investigate a car wrecking yard that was for sale. They ended up buying the yard through their savings and a loan.

The pair then started the “Northside Auto Recyclers” in Brisbane. Within four years they were able to repay the loan and now own a second wrecking yard. Their hard work paid off and they were able to bring their families to Australia and today lead happy lives.

Rahmutullah Sharifi and Najib Amin fled certain death from the Taliban in Afghanistan fifteen years ago. They were among 438 people loaded onto a wooden vessel in Indonesia, heading for Christmas Island. Life wasn’t easy after they arrived in Australia as jobs required resumes and neither of them had one. After working as fruit pickers and broiler makers for a couple of years, the pair decided to investigate a car wrecking yard that was for sale. They ended up buying the yard through their savings and a loan.

The pair then started the “Northside Auto Recyclers” in Brisbane. Within four years they were able to repay the loan and now own a second wrecking yard. Their hard work paid off and they were able to bring their families to Australia and today lead happy lives.

For the last two years, Friends of Refugees has been honouring World Refugee Day -  an important marker that helps to raise awareness of the plight of the 65.3 million displaced men, women and children across the globe - with an awards event to recognise and celebrate the contributions that many asylum seekers have made to the local community.

This year, however, it has become clear that with our limited resources and funding we need all hands on board to support people seeking asylum who are facing dire circumstances due to our adverse government policies.

Sabihe McDonald did not leave Iran as a refugee, but her family and she are Baha'i Iranians. Sabihe became an accredited Persian/Farsi speaking interpreter in Australia in 1973. Since then she has worked tirelessly to support Iranian, Afghani and Kurdish refugees and migrants to settle and begin their new lives in Melbourne. She went above and beyond her call of duty as an interpreter and was seen as a mother, chaperone, social worker and an ongoing support and friend by hundreds of Persian-speaking refugees settling in Australia.
Sabihe helped set up the Iranian Australian Committee with the aim of welcoming and supporting newly arrived refugees from Persian-speaking backgrounds. Help consisted of material aid, food, childcare and general support. Today at the age of 73, Sabihe is beginning to struggle with her own mobility. She still works at the RCH and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. At the end of the day she is exhausted. But satisfied because she would rather be out helping people she knows are in desperate need than sitting at home. Sabihe does all of this with little fanfare and no accolades. Nor does she want any. Forty-three years of service to the community is a large milestone and she is the epitome of selflessness.

Sai Candiah began his service to the community back home in Sri Lanka where he volunteered as a computer technician and disability nurse working with doctors without borders. As soon as he arrived in Australia as an asylum seeker he began to dedicate his time as a computer technician at the asylum seeker resource centre. He was also actively involved in distributing food parcels to refugees. He currently volunteers at the Monash Refugee Health service and tirelessly helps patients. He was awarded the “Certificate of Recognition” in 2015 for his excellent service. Sai’s friends describe him as a “dedicated individual, striving to help society”.

Shahin Shafaei is an Iranian‐Australian storyteller, performer, writer and director. Raised and nurtured in the traditions of Iran, he has written manylarge scale performances in his mother tongue. In the year 2000, political situations put an abrupt end to his creative endevours in Iran and Shahin ends up moving to a new continent and exploring a new language along with new mediums for his storytelling. He arrived in Australia as a refugee by boat, as a result of which he spent 22 months in Curtin Detention Centre.
In Australia he has 11 stage productions (including his highly acclaimed one-man-show "Refugitive"), 4 documentaries and number of short films.
With a strong passion for social dialogue and human stories, Shahin has worked with people from a multitude of backgrounds in a variety of settings including the Victorian College of the Arts and The Unusual Suspect Theatre in LA.

Tamil Feasts is a social enterprise that supports recently settled asylum seekers through the celebration of food and culture. It was started by four brave-heart Tamil Sri Lankan refugees who had been detained in immigration detention for over five years. Nirma, Niroshan, Sri and Nigethan cook up delicious Tamil feasts twice a week. At each meal they share their story describing their situation in detention and the difficulty of living in the community after being detained for such a long time.

Tamil Feasts raises awareness about the difficulties people face seeking asylum in Australia. It conveys the important contribution that people seeking asylum bring to our communities. This unique enterprise simultaneously creates a space in which Australians can show their support for individuals who are experiencing the difficulty of seeking refuge in a foreign land – while partaking in some seriously tasty food!

Toma Erjon is an arm wrestler and was active at different levels of competition in his home country of Albania. Toma is an asylum seeker in Australia and despite this, continues his passion for Arm Wrestling.
Toma became Victorian Arm Wrestling champion in 2014 under the category of right arm under 80Kgs. Despite coming from different cultural and linguistic back ground he has set a great example for all new migrants and young people, showing that success can be achieved with passion, dedication and motivation.
As a refugee Toma shows spirit and a will to succeed that is a credit to himself and an example to all in his new community.

Yaser has been participating in Kung Fu Wushu since he was young. In Iran he was a national champion in his sport but had to leave his country due to ongoing political issues. Soon after being released from detention in Melbourne, Yaser began participating in Kung Fu Wushu at a studio in Dandenong –. His most recent success has been winning a gold medal at the Australian Kung Fu Wushu Championships earlier this year.
Yaser is now ranked number one in Australia for his sport and has been invited by the Federation of the sport to compete at the international tournament in Indonesia but due to the conditions on his current visa (Bridging Visa E), Yaser is not permitted to travel outside of Australia.
Despite this set back in his fighting career, Yaser has taken on a positive attitude and has been volunteering his time to teach Kung Fu and self defence to young people in the community of Dandenong. Yaser has a positive attitude and eagerness to do what he can not only to benefit his own situation but to give back to the community in which he lives.