Philosophical insights from a Bankstown native

Bilal was born and raised in Bankstown 23 years ago, slowly ageing along with the home he’s lived in his entire life. Despite having spent his years living in Bankstown, Bilal has a lot of wisdom to share on the meaning of strength, life, and freedom. Who said it was necessary to leave your hometown to gain a little wisdom?

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Strength through love

Pauline and Terry migrated to Australia from Malta over forty years ago. Together, they overcame the obstacles that come with moving to a strange country, so far from your loved ones and comfort zone. To us, they show that love can give truly you strength.

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From Malta to Australia in The 60s

John Galea was born in Malta; the son of a farmer. Despite all the hurdles standing in his way, John left behind his war torn homeland at the age of 20 and built himself a good life in Sydney. Strong, independent, and achingly free, John is a symbol of Aussie immigration in the 60s.

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No Time Limit on Living Your Dreams

Growing up in Western Sudan, Sala lived briefly in Washington State, Venezuela, and Spain, where he studied Political Science. Fuelled by a strong sense of self-belief, Sala went on to work in Journalism, where he now uses his knowledge of Spanish, French, and Italian languages to further understand political climates and cultures.

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Dancing and Playing Tabla Around The World

Having trained with a Guru in the art of music and dancing as a child, Pandit Suman travelled the world sharing his gifts and talents. Despite his successes abroad, Pandit suffered his own fair share of tribulations back home in India, and today shows that the most important thing is to remain happy and resilient.

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Embracing Yourself and Your Freedoms

Migrating to Australia from Turkey at a young age, Turkan Aksoy struggled to deal with gender expectations, dyslexia, self-doubt, and the difficulty of finding your place when caught between two cultures. Today, she wants to help young women in Australia find the courage to be themselves in a world where they feel misunderstood.

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Homesickness to Hope

Leo Aralar is a sweet sixteen high school student in the pursuit of his acting dreams. But to get there, he’s faced trials and tribulations of missing his friends and homeland in the Philippines.

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Strength in Love

In 1945 at the ripe age of ten, Josie moved from isle of Malta to the hopeful Australian shores. She has had a fulfilling family life, with three daughters and five grandchildren all with her beloved husband Saviour. In recent unfortunate events, Saviour past away to leukaemia, so Josie continues to lead his legacy through his words.

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The Waiting Room

Now living in a cruisy bachelor pad in Parramatta, Joshua is a country boy at heart. To him, freedom is the simplicity of nature, and the ability to challenge suppression of the heart and mind. As a man who overcame drug addiction, alcoholism, and destitution, Joshua measures success on one’s ability to learn from their failures.

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Magic Milk

Sometimes, your best friends are the only ones you want to plan your future around. For Ashiq, he doesn’t shy from the love he shares for his closest mates, and has a strange affiliation with drinking ‘potions’, and drawing strength from cups of milk! Happiness, it seems, can come from the simplest of pleasures.

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STRENGTH FROM UNITY OF PEOPLE

Hailing from a wide range of backgrounds, and raised in a predominantly Indian culture, Jah Tung has carved a niche for himself within the diverse communities of Bankstown...

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BEING TRUE TO YOURSELF

As a proud, lifelong resident of Milperra, Jemille Hays cherishes the days when she used to ride her bicycle by the Georges River and tend to the horses in her family’s paddock...

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BELIEVING THE WORLD HAS YOUR BACK

Currently residing in the culturally diverse suburb of Granville, Anjali Roberts is a social agent of change. Hailing from Hyderabad in Andra Pradhesh, India, Anjali ventured beyond the corporate world...

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GATHERING STRENGTH FROM FAITH

Strength can come in many forms. But for some, such as Eleni, strength was necessary for survival. Escaping from Cyprus during the civil war in the 1960s, Illona shares a tale of struggle, defiance...

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NOT GIVING UP

A rebel from a young age, Ilona escaped from East Germany after marrying her husband in West Berlin. Branded a traitor, Ilona fought against the brainwashing of the communist regime...

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MANAGING IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY

One of Western Sydney’s most prominent artists, Kevin Ngo has overcome the challenges of being raised in commission housing by a single mum from Vietnam. Spurred on by her belief that her son...

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STRENGTH FROM POSITIVE MINDSETS

A nomad at heart, Matuse strives to live in the present, and prefers working towards goals than being lost in dreams. As one of Sydney’s most prominent rappers, Matuse is adamant that...

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STRENGTH IN ASKING FOR HELP

Growing up by Sydney’s beaches, Ronelle Knowles remembers summers by the water, playing with her numerous siblings in local parks, and dreading soggy Weetbix for breakfast. A proud woman, Ronelle...

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STRENGTH IS IN THE CHARACTER

As an elder and a leader in the local Indigenous community, Lyn Martin has led a life of challenge and resilience. Inspired by her mother, who she believes was the strongest person she’s even known...

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STRENGTH THROUGH DETERMINATION

Overcoming the hardships of a broken family, a mentally unstable mother, and a childhood riddled with hospital visits, Joyce Williams was forced to be strong from a young age. Hers is a remarkable story...

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