What’s your connection to Brimbank?
First of all, because I found a home here to rent in St Albans. Number two, my son, he went to language school … and it was at St Albans Primary School – it was a shock for my son, a cultural shock. In Egypt you don’t have a multicultural life like here, you don’t see people from all over the world. All the people in Egypt are Egyptian or American or European, not Chinese, not Vietnamese, not Sikh. It was new for me. So how to make my son connect more with the people there? By starting with myself. I tried to support him in the school. There was a [community] hub at the school, it was a window of hope for me because I didn’t know anyone here. It connected me with the Harmony Ambassador program. I am a harmony ambassador in Brimbank. In my country, I used to be an architect, so the decision I had, I will not build any more houses. I will build my children, myself and my community. I want to help people. I love art, I’m an artist, I do abstract arts.
What do you like about living here?
That Australia is a wonderful country, multicultural, rich in people of different backgrounds, and this gives the community a richness. It’s like a UN, but in one country, in one suburb. Especially Brimbank.
I love people; I used to build houses for people. I love to connect with people. I’m so happy to connect with Vietnamese and Chinese and with Italians, with Greeks. By the way, I speak four languages, Italian, Greek, French, some German. French is my number one.
What could make the area better?
Giving more services to the people. The people are in need. Like for the children. The future is the children, so give more opportunities for the children to do sports. I’m volunteering at AMES, at Melbourne Museum, because I like to connect with culture. And I believe having a good lifestyle isn’t an accessory, it’s culture and you need to express who you are, to give more to the community. I’m not yet Australian, but I wish to be part of the Australian community.
How did you come to be in Australia?
Due to a crisis in our life in Egypt, we came to Australia on March 5 last year. We are newly arrived in the Brimbank community and we are trying our best to get integrated.
After what happened in my life, what is very important for me is the children. They need a lot of support. My idea is, if your children find you back on your feet, they will get inspired. And I get inspired by them too.
I believe in something very important – arts. It is very important because it’s the only way to express the feelings. The primary schools are very important; they can connect you with the community. I want to work with children, I want to work with the community. My creation will not be buildings, but people.
Where do you spend time in Brimbank?
Watergardens and the reserve behind here where there are pelicans. And St George Coptic Orthodox Church, this is our only connection with Egyptians.
