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Celebrating my incredible dad this week! 
In May 1951, my dad left Beirut to build a new future in Australia, boarding the Italian ship Protea. He was one of over 1000 migrants on board from many nationalities. The ship had left Italy, landed in Beirut to pick up about 150 Lebanese migrants like my dad, and continued on, its passengers a mix of people from across Europe and the Middle East all hoping for a new beginning.
After a grueling month at sea battling terrible storms that nearly caused a shipwreck, overcrowded conditions, and poor sanitation he finally arrived on the shores of Melbourne in June 1951, safe but very seasick!
He settled in Geelong, where he studied for his electrical engineering diploma at Gordon Institute of Technology and he enjoyed his time during college whilst also working part time. One of his first jobs after was with the Air Force, assembling wings. He loved to tell the story of the meticulous quality inspector who would check his work by unscrewing a bolt exactly 5.5 revolutions to see if it was tightened correctly. The funny part? As soon as the inspector walked away, Dad would have to re-tighten every single one!
But that's not his only great story. Another time, Dad had his hat stolen from a restaurant coat check. Months later, his friend spotted a man on the street wearing a hat just like it. He struck up a conversation, asked to see it, and sure enough there was Dad’s name written inside! The man, though he wouldn't admit to stealing it, let my dad's friend take it home.
The best part? To return it, his friend invited Dad back to the same restaurant. As they were checking their coats, his friend presented the recovered hat, making for a very memorable lunch!
Now 95, he can't travel far, so I make trips to Geelong for him, taking loads of photos to bring his memories to life.
Love you, Dad, for everything you’ve done and all the amazing stories you’ve shared.
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