 Reza Shams ("Reza from Reservoir will do") guest speaker last week is a refugee originally from Afghanistan via Pakistan. Reza explained that his cultural background is that of the ethnic group Hazaras. (see below) He told of how he arrived alone in Christmas Island in 2012 from Pakistan, via Sri Lanka, Malaysia and then by boat from Indonesia. Now a young man of 20 years he is currently studying psychology science at Swinburne courtesy of that university's new and unique scholarship program for refugees in Australia subject to bridging and temporary protection visas. This gives students an opportunity to gain a university qualification, without the financial burden of tuition fees. These Welcome Scholarships were announced in 2016 to support refugee and asylum seeker students who are ineligible for government funding for higher education programs. Reza demonstrated a resilience in pursuing, and a drive for, an education. Educated to year 11 back in Pakistan he told how ultimately he gained acceptance to study year 12 in Australia after countless approaches to various schools. Pursuing a tertiary course was equally difficult. The Swinburne route was a one off. Coupled with Reza's push for education were efforts to participate in community activity. His use of the word "humanity" summed up two aspects. First, his own development in Australia has been advanced from support by many individuals in the community (for instance he lives with a family in Reservoir) and second his participation in various "volunteering" roles for the benefit of others is very important to him. He regularly talks to groups on refugee issues. Reza happily responded to audience questions and discussions on his experiences and refugee matters with openness and maturity. Notwithstanding that he is subject to an eventual need for an extended visa to stay in Australia, and necessarily uncertain of his future for that reason, Reza displayed a positive and contributory outlook. One could imagine him being an asset to, and successful in any society . |
Thanks to all for a good attendance and last meeting. It was a fascinating address by Reza Shams on his experiences as a refugee in Australia and his observations on how the ordinary people in the community in general were so important to integration. 
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