A life of service.
A world of
possibility.
Hussam Saraf is an educator, multicultural community leader, writer, book author, filmmaker and passionate gardener based in Shepparton, Victoria. Through education, storytelling, community service and gardening, he connects people, cultures and ideas, creating opportunities for learning, belonging and growth.
One home. Many ways to connect.
Explore a dedicated space for each part of my work.
Community
Multicultural connections, volunteering, emergency support and stories that bring us together.
Explore community ↗ Learning & opportunityEducation
Multicultural Liaison Leader at GSSC, F–2 Arabic teacher at VSL’s Shepparton Centre, and Language Instructor with the Victorian School of Languages School Council.
Explore education ↗ Encouragement & opportunityMentorship
Meet the students I mentor and explore their work, projects, published stories and public links.
Meet the students ↗ Ideas into actionProjects
Explore my work in film, education, community, gardening and research, with each project’s story and my role.
Explore projects ↗ Curiosity & growthGardening
My gardens journey, the art of multi-grafting and the possibilities growing in one tree.
Explore gardening ↗ Writing & discoveryBooks & Library
Explore my books, available Arabic and English editions, and authorised reading links.
Explore the library ↗ Services & enquiriesServices & Businesses
Discover Saraf Rosary and connect with me about products, projects and collaboration.
Explore businesses ↗ Milestones & appreciationRecognition & Awards
Achievements in film and gardening, alongside recognition for service to the community.
Explore recognition ↗ Film & storytellingThe Way to Freedom
The story, the people and the journey behind the award-winning film.
Explore the film ↗ Updates & mediaNews
Media coverage, reports and updates from across my work and community.
Explore news ↗People & experiencesStories
Interviews, profiles and personal reflections from my journey and community.
Explore stories ↗ Moments & memoriesPhoto Albums
Explore photographs by topic, project and occasion, from garden visits and community work to books, film and recognition.
Browse the albums ↗Projects
Ideas put into practice — explore the projects I have created, led or contributed to, and the people and stories behind them.
Arabic translation · الترجمة العربية
المشروعات
أفكار تحولت إلى عمل. تعرّف إلى المشروعات التي أنشأتها أو قدت تنفيذها أو أسهمت فيها، والأشخاص والقصص التي رافقتها.
The Way to Freedom
A documentary about displacement, rebuilding a life and belonging in Greater Shepparton. More than 350 GSSC students and staff contributed to the collective project. The film received the 2025 Chairperson’s Refugee Stories Award.
Arabic translation · الترجمة العربية
الطريق إلى الحرية — الجزء الأول: الرحلة
دوري: الكاتب والمخرج المشارك مع داريل ماكونيل
فيلم وثائقي عن النزوح وبناء حياة جديدة والانتماء في شبرتون الكبرى. أُنجز سنة ٢٠٢٣ بمشاركة أكثر من ٣٥٠ من طلاب وكادر الكلية الثانوية، ونال جائزة قصص اللاجئين من رئيس المفوضية سنة ٢٠٢٥.
GSSC Cultural & Language Expo
I originated the idea for GSSC’s first Cultural and Language Expo and led its delivery. The inaugural Expo and Family CALD Night brought students, families and community partners together through cultural displays and conversations about school support.
Arabic translation · الترجمة العربية
المعرض الثقافي واللغوي في كلية شبرتون الثانوية الكبرى
دوري: صاحب فكرة المعرض وقائد تنفيذه بصفتي قائد التواصل متعدد الثقافات
أقيم المعرض الأول واللقاء المسائي للأسر من خلفيات ثقافية ولغوية متنوعة يوم ١٨ يونيو ٢٠٢٦. جمع الطلاب والأسر والشركاء المجتمعيين عبر عروض ثقافية وحوارات حول دعم الطلاب، وأتاح للطلاب مشاركة لغاتهم وتراثهم بفخر.
Multi-grafting & the Guinness milestone
My multi-grafting work brought five fruit species together on one tree and earned Guinness World Record recognition in 2021. Media coverage described ten varieties. The garden also became a place to share practical growing skills and a message of coexistence.
Arabic translation · الترجمة العربية
التطعيم المتعدد وإنجاز غينيس
دوري: البستاني وصاحب تجربة التطعيم المتعدد
جمعت تجربتي خمسة أنواع من الفاكهة على شجرة واحدة، ونالت اعتراف موسوعة غينيس سنة ٢٠٢١؛ ووصفت التغطية الإعلامية عشرة أصناف. وأصبحت الحديقة مكانًا لمشاركة مهارات الزراعة والتطعيم، ورسالةً في التعايش واحترام التنوع.
Learning. Service. Shared stories.
Different paths.
A shared purpose.
From supporting families and teaching Arabic to bringing different fruits together on one tree, my work is rooted in connection. I believe in helping people feel welcome, encouraging curiosity and creating opportunities to grow.
Recognition & awards.
Explore the milestones →Chairperson’s Refugee Stories Award
Recognising The Way to Freedom at the Multicultural Film Festival.
View official certificates and laurel →Victorian Early Years Awards
Nomination recognition connected with my work in early years education.
View nomination details →Guinness World Record achievement
Five fruit species. Ten varieties. One remarkable tree.
Volunteer & community recognition
Recognition for contribution, service and pandemic response.
ICDA member · MICDA · Certificate valid to 1 July 2027. View certificate →
News.
Browse News →
The Way to Freedom
Written by Hussam Saraf and co-directed with Darryl McConnell, the film received the 2025 Chairperson’s Refugee Stories Award.
Victorian Multicultural Commission ↗Explore the film, photos and stories →View the film on SBS On Demand ↗
Supporting Shepparton through the floods
ABC News reported on my work with volunteers helping an Arabic-speaking family reach safety during the floods.
Read the ABC News story ↗Report details and saved coverage →
Making COVID-19 information accessible
During Shepparton’s outbreak, I translated and shared important information in Arabic to help families understand the changing situation.
Read the Riverine Herald coverage ↗Monique Preston’s report and Shepparton News clippings →Continuing this work through IMPARO in 2023 →Further rolling-coverage updates →
A world record, grown at home
My 2021 Guinness World Record achievement brought together five fruit species on one tree, with ten varieties described in media coverage.
Read the Shepparton News story ↗Stay connected.
Find my main pages, or follow the journey that interests you.
