Migrant Youssef Hana and his wife, Maryam (holding Yoanna), with Fady, Nour, Theophorus and Irene are meeting the challenges of life in Australia.
By Elizabeth Lillis
AFTER overcoming the challenges of a new life in Australia, Youssef Hana now feels at home in Narre Warren South.
The migrant of five years said an important part of settling to life in Australia had been getting involved in Australian culture rather than only being involved with connections to the Egyptian culture from his past.
Mr Hana and his wife, Maryam, and three of their children, Fady, Nour and Irene, left Cairo in 2002. They have had another two children, Yoanna and Theophorus, since arriving in Australia.
Mr Hana, a photographer and artist, said there was much to learn about the new culture they had settled into and they had done their best to embrace life in a new country.
This commitment became complete when they became Australian citizens in August 2004.
The Hanas have taken on the challenge of speaking English as a second language. Mrs Hana has taken advantage of language classes offered by the Federal Government and now speaks English fluently.
“Australia has so much freedom compared with many other countries but people need to learn about this freedom,” Mr Hana said.
Mr Hana said part of understanding the freedom in Australia was also learning the responsibilities of life, something he wants to pass on to his five children.
His most recent artistic work is a woodcarving depicting the world with the Australian coat of arms and the symbols of the each of the six states.
Mr Hana said the painting represents how Australia is a country of acceptance, tolerance, freedom and opportunity.
“People don’t realise the freedom they have compared to other countries, I can criticise a public figure such as the Prime Minister and not fear for my life, which is the case in many places in the Middle East,” he said.
Mr Hana said he encouraged new migrants to Australia to reach out and join in activities in their local community.
Since arriving in Australia Mr Hana has completed a Diploma of Visual Arts and established a business, Dreamcatcher Photography, with the assistance of the Federal Government’s New Enterprise Incentive Scheme.
He graduated from a Certificate Four in Small Business Management at Holmesglen TAFE last December and has also donated a work of art to the City of Casey for display in the city offices.
At this stage he intends to keep his recent carving as a reminder of his love for Australia.
The Egyptian Orthodox Church assisted the Hana family with their move to Australia.
They are now involved with a Christian Church community in Narre Warren, where they have made many new friends.
