Being given a chance to rebuild her life in Australia has inspired Syrian refugee Norma Medawar to give back.

Norma arrived in Melbourne a decade ago. With a high level of English, Norma settled in quickly in her new home and, despite the war trauma and experiences she he suffered, she quickly integrated into the Australian way of life.

Soon after her arrival, Norma began supporting other Syrian refugees in their resettlement journeys, going on to found the Zenobia Association, a women’s group that supports new arrivals find their way well in Australia.

After becoming a citizen, she now feels at home in Australia.

“I feel I belong here now. I feel more like an Aussie than ever,” she said.

“I feel I have learned about the culture and integrated into the society.

“It felt strange and different at first, but my journey has been a good one and I’ve been helped by so many people. I now feel it is my duty to help people following in my footsteps.

“That’s why we started Zenobia, a women’s group that aims to empower, support, refer and advocate for newly arrived women to take their full place in society and achieve their social and economic goals.

“It has made me feel even more connected to my community. We are getting calls from all over Australia from people wanting to join our online citizenship classes or asking for advice.

“Zenobia has changed my life. I am very busy, but it is also very rewarding. I love the group; it is like my baby.

“Every time I meet a newly arrived refugee, I see myself. I made the same journey. Faced the same barriers and took the same first steps,” Norma said.

Since arriving in Australia, Norma has worked to support newly arrived women.

She has worked for community organisations in parent pathway mentoring and helping women find educational pathways and jobs.

“Changing peoples lives for the better is what I’m driven to do,” she said.

“I arrived in Australia in 2015 as a refugee from Syria seeking safety and a chance to rebuild my life after fleeing the civil war in Syria.

“My life now revolves around this country. As I citizen, I get to vote and have a say in the way the country is run – which is important to me. In Syria that was never the case.

“In 2022 I made my first visit home to Syria since I left in the middle of the civil war. It triggered was an overwhelming mix of emotions.

“I felt happiness at seeing my father, I felt nostalgic about the sights and smells of my homeland so familiar from my childhood.

“But I also felt sadness at the conditions in which so many people are living and concern about the future of the country.” Norma said.

She said the recent fall of the Assad regime has given people in Syria hope for the future, but things are still uncertain, and many people have difficult lives.

Norma studied an advanced Diploma in Interpreting and Translating (NAATI accredited qualification). She worked as interpreter and Education Support Officer for two years before finding her passion for working in the community service sector.

She has now been working in the community service sector for nine years. In both professional and volunteer capacities, Norma has provided invaluable leadership and capacity building for Arabic-speaking women in Melbourne’s north.

She has worked at Whittlesea Community Connections since 2017, assisting newly arrived migrant and refugee people to resettle in Australia and advocating on their behalf at network meetings with mainstream service providers.

Through the Zenobia Association, Norma helps refugees with preparing their resumes and upskilling them on how to find work.

She has also assisted many to secure job opportunities through her wide network and she also assists newly arrived Arabic-speaking people in preparing for their citizenship tests.

The group meets regularly and delivers information sessions to help women navigate life in Australia, access services and feel connected. It runs art classes for women and children, swimming classes for women to spread the awareness about water safety.

The association has facilitated many social and cultural events that have been open to the broader community and thus fostering cross-community connections while promoting Syrian culture.

In many Arabic-speaking households, the men go out to work and the woman are left at home at risk of feeling isolated. In a voluntary capacity, Norma has strived to provide opportunities for women to connect with each other and take part in community events.

Through this work, Norma has facilitated events such as visits to libraries and museums, art exhibitions, gatherings at restaurants and cafes and more. Norma has recruited a cohort of people from the mainstream community to become part of Zenobia and share their knowledge and experience with newly arrived refugees.

In 2024, Norma’s selfless work was recognised with a ‘Woman of Impact’ award the recognises women from newly arrived migrant and refugee communities who are supporting individuals and communities to build successful lives in Australia.