A lifelong commitment to refugees is rewarded

Sabihe (Sabi) McDonald didn’t think she had a chance of winning the Refugee Champion Award at this year’s Friends of Refugees and Asylum Seeker Awards, but at the ASRC and throughout Melbourne’s refugee community, many agree she is a deserving winner. As Melbourne’s first Persian interpreter, Sabi quickly recognised her value in not only bridging the language divide, but the cultural divide as well, becoming a passionate advocate for refugees.

Over more than 40 years, Sabi has assisted thousands of individuals and families navigate often complex and stressful matters, whether it’s children in hopsital or individuals unwittingly caught up in Victoria’s legal system. “It’s a powerful job being an interpreter,” says Sabi.

“You often hold people’s lives in your hands so you have to build up trust, act responsibly and with a conscience.”

Sabi recalls a refugee she assisted who, visiting a shopping centre for the first time, left one shop with goods, not realising payment was required at each shop rather than when leaving the centre itself. It’s an easy mistake to make for those not familiar with rules we take for granted, says Sabi. When facing court, the refugee was shown mercy by the magistrate, thanks to the care Sabi took in explaining the cause of the incident.

The Award’s title is particularly apt for Sabi, reflecting her philosophy – “I don’t care where you’re from. If you need help and I can be that difference, I’ll do everything I can” – and the numerous initiatives she’s undertaken over the years. Sabi is particularly proud of having established a Persian/Australian Group in the early 1980s, a support network for Iranian men and women fleeing Iran immediately after the revolution.

Sabi exudes a simple wisdom that captures her passion for life and laughter.

 

“I truly believe in the power of laughter. Often refugees lose their sense of humour because of what they’ve experienced, whether it be torture, imprisonment or witnessing the death of family members. Not until they regain their sense of humour, can they recover.”

It’s this outlook that has made Sabi popular with refugees of all ages, and continues to motivate her in her current work both at the Royal Children’s Hospital and the ASRC. Known affectionately as ‘mum’, Sabi started volunteering in the ASRC kitchen, and became an integral part of the popular Iranian Friday feasts. She now works in the Foodbank (pop in on Fridays to say hello!) And what does Sabi’s Refugee Champion Award mean to her?

“You don’t do it for reward, but when you are recognised, it’s just great.”

 

Learn more about how you can become a volunteer

Become a volunteer