General News
1 February, 2025
Bangladeshi family became Aussies
A journey that began over a decade ago in Perth has come full circle for the Syed family, who officially became Australian citizens on Sunday.
The family of four, originally from Bangladesh received their citizenship certificates from Horsham Rural City Council mayor Ian Ross , marking a proud and emotional milestone.
For Mahbub Syed and Ismat Ara, the road to citizenship has been one of resilience, adaptation, and community building.
Ismat first arrived in Australia in 2012 on a student visa to pursue a Master’s in Public Policy at Murdoch University in Perth, while Mahbub followed on a spouse visa.
After years of dedication and hard work, they secured Australian permanent residency in 2020.
The Syeds have found a perfect balance between city connections and small-town charm in Horsham, Victoria.
After living in various parts of Australia, they chose to settle in the Wimmera region in 2021, valuing its peace, friendly atmosphere, and proximity to both Melbourne and Adelaide.
“We don’t want to live in a metropolitan city. We like quiet and calm places that are uninterrupted,” Mr Mahbub said.
Mahbub, who has a background in banking, transitioned into social work, earning a Master’s in Social Work from the University of South Australia.
He now works as a Child Protection Practitioner with the Department of Families, Fairness, and Housing in Horsham.
Meanwhile, Ismat is pursuing a PhD in Education at James Cook University in Cairns on a scholarship, focusing on Civics and Citizenship curriculum systems for students from Year 5 to Year 9 at Horsham’s Holy Trinity Lutheran College.
For their son, Manashij, who was born in Bangladesh in 2008, and their daughter, Pythia, born in Queensland in 2020, growing up in Horsham has provided a unique blend of experiences.
While Manashij prefers the vibrancy of cities, he has come to appreciate Horsham’s strong sense of community.
“You can get the vibe of Horsham just by talking to anyone for two or three minutes,” Ismat shared.
“People are connected, and you feel that connection. It’s very friendly,” she said.
While Manashij enjoys spending time by the riverside, gaming, and occasionally riding his bike, Mahbub has found his sporting passion in table tennis and squash.
He represents Horsham in the A-grade table tennis shield, adding another layer of community involvement to his family’s journey.
As the family reflects on their journey, they acknowledge that settling in a new country comes with its challenges. However, their experience has been overwhelmingly positive.
“It’s a very tough journey, coming from another country and settling down, but the system and policies here are welcoming,” Ismat said.
“Anyone who wants to settle in Australia won’t be disappointed,” she said.
For the Syeds, citizenship is more than just a status—it’s an opportunity to contribute to the society they now call home.
“This citizenship will give us more opportunities to serve the community,” Mahbub said.
“We are now legalised to vote and select the people we like,” he said.