Remembering Minto: Life and Memories of a Community

Fatin Alrawi
We were looking for a mosque and Islamic school and Minto was the cheapest place in Sydney.

I am from Iraq and have been in Australia five years. I’m working at Macarthur Diversity Service, part time, as the woman’s worker to support refugees who are less than five years in Australia. I have three kids: one boy, 15 years old, and two girls, one is 14 years old and one is seven years old.

When we came to Australia five years ago, we were looking for a house to buy, near the station and we were looking for a mosque and Islamic school, and Minto was the cheapest place in Sydney. But after a few months actually, we knew that we were living in an area with a reputation, that there is a problem because there is so much Housing Commission in this area.

I think it’s more the problem of the media than the people. The media make it worse and bigger than the reality. It’s just the media.

For the five years I’ve been here I didn’t have any problem [with racism], but last year, in one week actually somebody talking to me in very bad way in the road. No reason. Other things happened in the same week. I don’t know why. In both cases it was the same. It hurt me but I just forget about it because I think people are sick. They have some other problem so they need to do something to others to feel relief.

I know a couple and the man is upset [about the relocation]. He’s got very nice garden so he’s really upset. He says, “I don’t have any work. Just busy and happy with my garden.” So I think they assure him they will give him the same level of living in his new house. They told him, “We are going to take you to see the new house.” And if he’s comfortable with the house, he can take it, if not, he doesn’t have to.

I didn’t have any problem with the people, but the houses are old and it’s not safe for the people. So with the new housing, it will be a nicer Minto.