A new Australian's story

Published on 29 January 2019

Hobart resident HINA DURRANI was one of 75 people awarded Australian Citizenship over the weekend. This is her story.

Hina Durrani came from Pakistan to study in Tasmania five years ago, following in the footsteps of her younger brother, Waqas, who was then studying at the University of Tasmania. Hina has two other brothers who studied in London and are well settled there now.

"I have travelled in the UK but Tasmania seemed to be such a beautiful place with a close-knit community, which is important when you are away from family."

"My journey to come to Australia was because of the encouragement and support from my parents and brothers, without which it was not possible to fulfill my dreams," she says.

A family tradition of travel

But the roots of her decision to come to Tasmania go even deeper. 

"I was inspired by my great grandmother Begum Hamdam Sultan Kamal-Ud-Din, who studied at Queen Mary College in London.

“In the 1930s she had the honour of meeting Mustafa Kamal Pasha, HRH. the Duchess of York, Princess Elizabeth and Margaret there. She also met the Queen of Belgium in her travels and in Italy she met both Mussolini and the Pope.”

This well-travelled woman was also passionate about social justice.

“She was a prominent figure in all movements aiming at uplifting the social status of women.”

Citizenship as responsibility

So what does it mean to Hina to become an Australian citizen?

"Becoming a citizen is a great feeling of being accepted and welcomed. It is a privilege that comes with great responsibility and I will continue to serve the community here especially empowering women and youth."

Since coming to Tasmania Hina has completed a Masters of Professional Accounting and has worked to support Tasmania’s migrant and refugee community, including her current position as Senior Vice Chairperson of the Multicultural Council of Tasmania.

“I believe strongly in destiny and feel I was destined to be here.” 

Image credits: Amy Brown