On Wednesday 18 March, Concordia College welcomed 2025 South Australia Local Heroes, Irfan and Sobia Hashmi to the St Peters Campus, to celebrate Harmony Week and help announce the school’s Aussie of the Month recipient.
As part of the school assembly, Irfan and Sobia shared their story and impact on diversity and inclusion, transforming healthcare in remote and rural communities in South Australia. Within their six pharmacies, their staff collectively speak 21 languages, allowing them to reach vulnerable populations and provide culturally sensitive healthcare.
The Local Hero visit to primary schools is made possible thanks to the affiliation between Aussie of the Month and the Australian of the Year Awards.
“We are so happy to join Concordia College to help celebrate Harmony Week,” says Irfan. “As migrant community leaders, we are proud to support our multicultural communities and celebrate multiculturalism in Australia.”
“It is so important for young Australians to show the Aussie of the Month values of inclusion and fair go, and we are delighted to help recognise a student who does so in their school and community,” adds Sobia.
Aussie of the Month recognises and celebrates personal endeavour, achievement and contribution to community and reflects the values we share as Australians, such as a fair go, mateship, respect and inclusion.
“We are proud to present the Aussie of the Month award at Concordia College – St Peters Campus, and thrilled Irfan and Sobia could join us for Harmony Week to announce the recipient,” says Principal, Alison Ronoastro. “Aussie of the Month is new for our school this year, so presenting the award with a visit from these Local Heroes makes it even more exciting and special for our students.”
Primary schools can register for the Aussie of the Month program for free at any time during the year. Once registered, schools are provided with certificates, lapel pins and stationery gifts for monthly presentations within their school, and online guidelines and over-the-phone support on how to run the program in their school.
Schools can express their interest in a Local Hero in-person visit and gain access to a library of virtual visits that the schools can play when announcing their monthly recipient. These visits are exclusive to schools signed up to the Aussie of the Month program.
Aussie of the Month is delivered in partnership with the Department of Home Affairs and is supported by Pilot Pen Australia.
“Active citizenship is about getting involved in your local community and displaying values such as fair go, respect, inclusion and helping others,” says Jennelle Horsford, Regional Director, South Australia and Western Australia at the Department of Home Affairs.
“The Department of Home Affairs is proud to support both the Local Hero category in the Australian of the Year Awards and Aussie of the Month, which recognise and celebrate the positive impact of community participation and active citizenship.”
