Pat Conaghan (Cowper, National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

I'm delighted to be able to recognise an impressive young lady in my electorate, 19-year-old Falak Othman. Falak and her family fled war in Syria for Iraq in 2012 and came to Australia in 2017. Already fluent in Arabic, Kurdish and Turkish, Falak added English to her linguistic credentials within one year, at the age of 14. She also has a basic grasp of Chinese and German. I struggle sometimes with one language; she knows six. Falak has put these skills to good use. As a child, she translated for others with UNICEF in Iraq for three years during the war in the Middle East, supporting people suffering from trauma. Since arriving on our shores, she has volunteered as a translator for refugees in Coffs Harbour. As a refugee herself, Falak has a deep understanding of the gaps that exist in creating a smooth transition into life in a new country.

Falak is currently studying nursing and business and balances her academic endeavours with her community work. On International Women's Day earlier this month, Falak was presented the Coffs Coast Woman of the Year Award, a well deserved recognition for an inspirational young woman. Congratulations, Falak.

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