Taher Forotan – Pride Of Australia
BRISBANE man Dr Taher Forotan has taken out national honours at the 2013 Pride of Australia ceremony in Sydney this morning.
Taher Forotan is a refugee from Afghanistan and was awarded for his work helping other refugees through the Queensland Program of Assistance to Survivors of Torture and Trauma. Pic: Sarah Keayes Source: News Limited
Dr Forotan, from Moorooka in Brisbane’s south, said he was honoured the announcement.
“I’m very excited and very humbled,” he said.
Enslaved by the Taliban and forced to treat their wounded in a war against his own people, Dr Forotan escaped Afghanistan to Pakistan, then Indonesia, before making it to Brisbane in early 2000. With his medical qualifications not recognised by Australian authorities, Dr Forotan instead volunteered at Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital and later did sexual-health education in ethnic communities.
He joined the Queensland Program of Assistance to Survivors of Torture and Trauma (QPASTT) in 2001, ultimately specialising in helping refugees with mental-health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.
“When you find yourself alone and unfamiliar in a new situation, you need help from others,” Dr Forotan explained.
“It’s even harder when people come from a disempowering situation of war, destruction, abuses and refugee camps. Working with them and helping them to stand on their feet is very fulfilling.”
Dr Forotan’s wife, a nephew and five children – one of whom was born three months after his escape from Afghanistan – only joined him in Brisbane in 2005.
While he has been unable to practise as a doctor in Australia, Dr Forotan said he had derived huge satisfaction from his work with QPASTT and from his children’s success in their new home.
“This country has given me so much, it’s a great country to live where you succeed on merit and hard work not because of who you are, your colour, your religion or your language.”
The national ceremony went live on Studio 10 at 8.30am this morning with the panel of Ita Buttrose, Joe Hildebrand , Sandra Sully, Jessica Rowe and Sarah Harris seated in front of the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House at Bennelong Lawn.
The Voice 2013 winner Harrison Craig performed his debut single the aptly named Lift Your Spirit. Craig intends on donating a percentage of all the proceeds to the Make a Wish Foundation.
MIKE BRUCE THE COURIER-MAIL NOVEMBER 14, 2013 2:00PM