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By Marcus Wong, Bachelor of Commerce & Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Whenever I visited Auburn as a child, it was to see my dad’s uncle. Auburn always had a distinct smell, and I remember the abundance of Asian markets. Coming from a Chinese background, I saw echoes of my heritage, but there were also stores with items I had never seen before. Auburn was a blend of the familiar and the unknown. However, attending the Auburn Cultural Insights Day gave me an opportunity to rediscover this vibrant suburb in a completely new light.
Auburn is incredibly diverse, which I learned during the day. Did you know that 50% of Auburn's residents were born overseas, representing 124 different countries and 67 different language groups? The suburb is also home to over 50 places of worship, with more than 35% of the population identifying as Islamic. This incredible diversity is evident everywhere you look, from the array of restaurants to the vibrant community events.
The day began with a talk by Hedayat (Nick) Osyan, a refugee from Afghanistan. His story of resilience and empowerment had almost left me in tears. Hedayat shared how he had to leave his homeland and family behind after facing severe repression, embarking on a perilous journey to Australia by boat, even trusting people smugglers to help him. Despite the trauma and hardship he faced, Nick has built a meaningful life in Australia, focusing on empowering other refugees. He now runs CommUnity Construction, a social enterprise that trains refugees in the construction industry. Nick also manages a refugee soccer team, providing a sense of community and purpose to others who have experienced similar struggles. His journey is a powerful reminder of the challenges refugees face and the strength they exhibit in rebuilding their lives. It made me reflect on how much more we could be doing to address the global refugee crisis and to support those who have been displaced.
For lunch, we enjoyed a Lebanese-style meal at Cook & Co, with my favourite dish being their famous lentil soup. We learned about how food is prepared in Turkiye and the cultural significance of certain dishes. I was particularly fascinated by the role of coffee in Turkish marriage customs, where the procedure the groom and bride go through involves a ritual with coffee. It was cool to see how food and culture are so connected.
One of the highlights of the day was our visit to Gaziantep Sweets, a shop specialising in Turkish desserts, particularly handmade baklava and chocolates. The shop offered both traditional and modernised versions of baklava, each crafted with care and love. The authenticity of the flavours transported me, and I could easily imagine this as a place where Turkish families and friends gather to enjoy each other’s company.
In the afternoon, we visited the Auburn Gallipoli Mosque, an Ottoman-style mosque that was both architecturally beautiful and spiritually significant. Our guide explained the inclusivity of Islam, and how the faith accommodates people with disabilities or injuries, so they can still participate in prayers to the best of their ability. We also learned about the cleansing rituals before prayer, which showed how important cleanliness and mindfulness are in the practice of Islam.
Reflecting on my experience, I can say that my viewpoint on Auburn has changed. While I will always cherish the memories of visiting my dad’s uncle and going shopping in Asian grocery stores, Auburn has evolved into a rich tapestry of cultures, where people from all corners of the globe have found a home. However, this experience also reminded me that we could be doing more for refugees, offering them a warmer welcome, and challenging the negative stereotypes that often surround them. I hope we can continue to build on this foundation of inclusivity and diversity and creating a more compassionate world for everyone.
"In diversity there is beauty and there is strength." – Maya Angelou
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