Social worker Mohammed Arif Fayazi has been recognised for his work with the migrant community by the State Government.
By Shaun Inguanzo
SPRINGVALE social worker Mohammed Arif Fayazi is one of six Greater Dandenong refugees to have received State Government recognition this week for outstanding contributions to Victoria.
The 2007 Victorian Refugee Recognition Record awards were held on Sunday at the Fitzroy Learning Centre.
Among the winners were Mr Fayazi, for his work in establishing the Association of Hazaras in Victoria, based in Springvale.
A delighted Mr Fayazi, who was part of the Afghani ethnic group the Hazara, told Star he had fled the Taliban regime and sought refuge in Australia in 2000.
But, like many of the refugees, Mr Fayazi was placed in the undesirable Woomera Detention Centre before experiencing the elaborate application process for permanent residency in Australia.
It was the struggle to find his feet in Australia – including learning to speak English and to deal with government agencies – that inspired Mr Fayazi to establish the Association of Hazaras in Victoria.
“Initially we were not entitled to a lot of government services,” Mr Fayazi said about his experience prior to being accepted as a permanent resident.
“Things such as English classes, help through job networks, a case worker – all those things were triggers to encourage us to have an association that could provide for refugees’ needs and help with their everyday life in Australia.”
Mr Fayazi said the association originally formed in Fitzroy, but due to the large Afghani population in Greater Dandenong was moved to Springvale.
As many Hazara-Afghanis are now permanent residents, Mr Fayazi said the association had changed its focus from initial settlement to ongoing education and support services.
