Cranbourne engineer Yousef Heidari has shared his meaningful experience working on the Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road Upgrade, a project closer to home for him in more ways than one.
Being part of this project is another way Yousef, working for McConnell-Dowell as a site engineer, can make a difference for the community that gave his family a chance to flourish.
Moving to Australia with his family to escape the ongoing turmoil and conflict in Afghanistan when he was 14 years old, Yousef started a new life in Cranbourne that offered a chance for peace and promise.
With many migrant families calling the southeast home, he felt like he belonged from the start.
“Our time in Australia, specifically in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, has been incredibly positive,” he said.
“The warm and supportive community has been instrumental in our seamless integration, extending a genuine and heartfelt welcome.
“The abundant multiculturalism and diversity in the area have significantly contributed to our sense of belonging, transforming our new surroundings into a true home in Melbourne.”
Yousef completed his schooling at Cranbourne Secondary College and later graduated from RMIT with a degree in civil engineering.
Yousef has still clocked plenty of kilometers as he worked across the city on several Victorian Big Build projects.
From the Monash Freeway Upgrade, Metro Tunnel as well as the Level Crossing Removal Project at Gap Road – Yousef has made his way around Melbourne to bring these road and rail upgrades to life.
When he saw this position become available in his neighbourhood, and by extension allow him to work on this major road for Cranbourne and the greater southeast, he leaped at the opportunity.
“Contributing to the Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road Upgrade is my way of giving back to the community, a gesture that I consider the least I can do in return for the support received,” he said.
“The immeasurable support I’ve been fortunate to receive from both the local community and the school [Cranbourne Secondary College] has been invaluable.”
In addition to helping construct a safer, less-congested Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road, Yousef also made sure his Afghan community was well across what was going on with this project, as he helped translate at MRPV pop-up events, so no language barriers were stopping his community from understanding what was happening in the area.
“It is brilliant to play a role in advancing road infrastructure close to home to help make our roads safer for the community,” he said.
