Having woken to endless bombing in his Iraqi homeland, Burhan decided to flee in search of safety in 1993.  

Over the next two years, Burhan endured hunger, homelessness and physical exhaustion to find a place where he no longer feared for his life. 

“Going back to Iraq was always more dangerous,” he said. 

“The first time I crossed the country to Turkey, we were ambushed. Six people were killed, but that didn’t stop me. I had to try again.

“One night I set off with ten people in a boat from Turkey to Greece. We had a a couple of buckets to get the water out and that was it. 

“We were so happy when we reached the Greek Islands, but then the border guards raised their weapons and told us to go home.” 

Despite looking down the barrel of a gun, Burhan remained determined. 

“I was risking my life to look for the best country in the world,” he said. 

“I didn’t know where it is was, but I knew I was going to get there. Nothing was going to stop me. 

“I pulled up my jumper and said ‘shoot me’. I just couldn’t go back.” 

Only months later, Burhan’s dream begun to materialise; he was accepted for a refugee visa to Australia. 

“When I arrived at Sydney Airport in 1995, I was safe,” he said. 

“The words ‘Welcome to Australia’ will always echo in my mind. Once I arrived, I was accepted.” 

But it wasn’t until 2015 that Burhan truly found his home. 

“People choose places to live based on four things: the people, the water, greenery and mountains. Wollongong has all four. 

“For me, Australia is the house and Wollongong is my cosy room.” 

Since moving to Wollongong, Burhan said he has found his home, but it isn’t the case for all refugees. 

“Wollongong became a ‘Welcome Refugee Zone’ a while ago and it’s a very friendly place,” he said.

“Where we need work is in big cities and rural areas where they don’t know much about refugees and [prejudices] exist. Australian people are good to refugees, but when it comes to the policy naming them ‘boat people’ or ‘que-jumpers’ it’s not nice.

“People fear the unknown. When they don’t know something, they fear it. If those in power spread the mentality of ‘refugees will conquer the place and swamp the towns’ ignorant people will believe it without knowing.” 

For attempting to break down barriers within the community, Burhan has been nominated for Citizen of the Year in Wollongong. 

Burhan has also been invited to attend an Australia Day reception with Premier Mike Baird. 

“It feels great to be nominated,” he said. 

“I have come from being stateless to now being nominated for an award in the best country in the world. 

“I am the happiest Australian.”