Working towards social justice | Geelong Independent

By Jena Carr

Torquay’s Hutch Hussein is Surf Coast Shire’s latest local legend for his contribution to social inclusion in the region and the state.

Ms Hussein’s parents moved from Cyprus to Australia in the 1970s, before she was born, to ensure that the next generation of refugee migrants had access to support services.

“My mother was 17 when she came here and didn’t know a word of English. She had me when she was 20 and my father was 24 when he came here on a boat,” she said.

“There weren’t the migrant and refugee housing services that there are now. So my mother learned English at the same time as me by watching Play School… and my father learned English at work.”

“By ensuring that people feel socially and economically connected and feel that they can contribute, we benefit from all their talents.

“I have spent 20 years of my career working specifically in the refugee and migrant sector and it is really important to ensure that people have a positive experience of settling in.”

The Local Legend Award was presented in recognition of Ms. Hussein’s contributions to First Nations reconciliation through her volunteer leadership and the establishment of the Surf Coast Reconciliation Group.

She also founded the Surf Coast Rainbow Families group, which has been hosting family social gatherings since 2019.

“It is truly exciting and moving to be nominated by my colleagues in what was a collaborative effort to build a campaign for the Voice referendum,” said Ms Hussein.

“This award goes to the 900 volunteers in the Surf Coast region who worked hard to ensure people had an informed vote.

“It (the Surf Coast Rainbow Families group) gives people the opportunity to meet others, share experiences and be part of that sense of community.

“It’s also that kids meet other kids who have two dads or two moms. It can feel a little lonely if they’re in a school where there aren’t other rainbow families.”

Ms Hussein said inclusion and social justice are her greatest passions and have inspired her career and volunteer work.

“I am really driven by ensuring that people participate in our democracy and where we can seize opportunities to promote equality in our society,” she said.

“I have mentored candidates, but also young women who have shown interest in entering politics, which can be a male-dominated field.

“So they often need that little bit of extra encouragement to let them know that they too have a rightful place, and parliament needs people who look like them and have their experiences.”