For Raziq Qasimi, an Afghan refugee who graduated from BGS in 2014, Australia was a name whispered as being a heaven on earth. As an orphan, Qasimi's journey to Australia started when his oldest brother braved the seas to seek asylum in 1999. Accepted as a refugee, his brother eventually received permanent residency status and sponsored Raziq and his other brother to move to Australia in 2010.
Starting at BGS on a bursary in Year 11, Qasimi endured a challenging beginning but was supported as he adjusted to life at BGS. "Attending the School was something that I could never have imagined in my wildest dreams. But I'm happy to tell the world that I was the first Afghan-Australian student to attend Brisbane Grammar School."
Qasimi involved himself in extracurricular activities and public purpose, volunteering at a nursing home each week and helping mentor refugees as part of the Homework Club. He is studying a Bachelor of Law and Justice at QUT: "I have witnessed a lot of suffering; I'm Hazara, so my ethnicity has been persecuted for a very long time." He hopes to one day become a human rights lawyer and activist. "I want to be the voice for voiceless and get out there and make a contribution to the community."
Qasimi credits BGS with preparing him well for life after school. "Nil sine labore, nothing without labour, is something that I will remember for the rest of life." He also thanked a teacher, Mr Logan, who gave up his time every Wednesday morning in 2014 to teach him how to swim.
Source: Grammar News Summer 2016.