Community leaders, government representatives, co-authors, families and supporters gathered at Arab Council Australia in Fairfield East on Saturday for the official launch of From Survival to Contribution: 16 Refugee Stories of Resilience, Courage and Contribution to Australia.
The meaningful event, presented by Future Power Academy and led by editor and founder Vivianne Dawalibi, celebrated the lived experiences of 16 individuals whose journeys reflect courage, determination and the ability to rebuild and contribute to Australian society.
Hosted by Christine Tadros, the launch brought together guests from across the multicultural and settlement sectors during Refugee Week 2026. Among those acknowledged were Charge D’Affaires of the Republic of Sudan, Mr. Ahmed Abdel Latif, Federal Member for Fowler, Dai Le MP, State Member for Cabramatta, Tri Vo MP, State Member for Liverpool, Charishma Kaliyanda MP, Fairfield City Mayor Frank Carbone and Deputy Mayor of Fairfield, Kevin Lam.
The program commenced with an Acknowledgement of Country delivered by Andrea Nevill, a proud Bardi/Jawi Elder, community broadcaster and advocate for First Nations peoples, human rights and cultural understanding.
Guests were then welcomed by Hassan Moussa, CEO of Arab Council Australia, whose organisation provided the venue and support for the landmark occasion. The event highlighted the importance of partnership between community organisations, leaders and supporters in creating opportunities for refugee voices to be heard.
Federal Member for Fowler Dai Le MP also addressed attendees. Her presence carried particular significance, with her own refugee journey from Vietnam to Parliament reflecting the central message of the book: that people who arrive in Australia seeking safety can go on to make lasting contributions to their communities and the nation.
Culture was a key feature of the celebration. The Harmony Steps Group, led by Leslie Nguyen, presented Vietnamese cultural dance performances, while Palestinian Dabke performers brought energy and unity to the stage. Guests also enjoyed an Iraqi poem presented by co-author Salam Al-Khudady, with a Sudanese cultural performance held during the networking session.
A highlight of the morning was the ceremonial ribbon-cutting, where the 16 co-authors came together to officially launch the publication. The moment symbolised not only the release of a book, but also the collective strength of people who have overcome displacement, hardship and uncertainty to build meaningful lives in Australia.
The co-authors recognised during the launch included Vivianne Dawalibi, Basim Shamaon, Rami Shaheen, Theresa Tran, Bakhit David, Salam Naser Al-Khudady, Mervat Altarazi, Naomi Cao, Hala Al Duleimi, Clement Meru, Noël Zihabamwe, Magdi Fahim, Atoor Tamris, Yassmen Yahya, Hadeel Al Dairy and Magdi Joseph Zarzour.
Several contributors shared personal reflections from their chapters, including Basim Shamaon, Clement Meru, Noël Zihabamwe, Atoor Tamris and Theresa Tran. Their stories reinforced the book’s core message that refugees should not be defined solely by the challenges they have endured, but by their resilience, leadership and contributions to the communities they call home.
The formal program concluded with a commemorative book-signing ceremony, followed by refreshments, networking and further cultural celebration.
From Survival to Contribution stands as a powerful collection of stories that challenges stereotypes and recognises the positive role refugees continue to play in shaping a stronger, more inclusive and diverse Australia.
