Last updated: آخر تحديث: ١٥ أكتوبر ٢٠٢٦
Hussam Saraf
حسام الصراف
Multicultural Liaison LeaderArabic Teacher · Community Leader · Author & Filmmaker
Shepparton, Victoria, Australia
Also known professionally as Hussam (Sammy) Saraf.
Professional profile
Educator, Multicultural Liaison Leader and Arabic language teacher based in Shepparton, Victoria, with experience across education and student support since 2015. Connects culturally and linguistically diverse students, families, educators and community organisations through communication, cultural understanding and practical assistance.
Brings additional experience in community emergency response, healthcare support, business operations, writing and collaborative filmmaking. Recognised for contributions to inclusive education, volunteering and community storytelling, alongside a Guinness World Record achievement in multi-grafting.
تربوي وقائد للتواصل متعدد الثقافات ومدرّس للغة العربية، مقيم في شيبارتون بولاية فيكتوريا. تجمع خبراته بين دعم الطلبة والأسر، والتعليم، والعمل المجتمعي والتطوعي، والكتابة وصناعة الأفلام، مع خبرات سابقة في دعم الرعاية الصحية وإدارة الأعمال.
Core capabilities
Multicultural engagement
Student and family liaison, cultural guidance, advocacy, active listening and relationships across school and community.
Teaching & learner support
F–2 Arabic teaching, classroom assistance, language learning through stories and activities, and support for learner participation.
Communication & languages
Arabic and English communication; translation, interpreting and accessible information for families and community members.
Leadership & collaboration
Teamwork, curriculum and faculty coordination, community connections, event participation and emergency-response collaboration.
Planning & problem-solving
Organisation, time management, initiative, critical thinking and practical experience in operations, maintenance and enterprise.
Creative & digital work
Writing, research, educational resources, collaborative film production, digital communication and digital marketing training.
Community emergency response
Multicultural community support during COVID-19, floods and bushfires; accessible public information, volunteer coordination and practical assistance.
Research & practical learning
Community-health field research, educational writing and learning through hands-on projects, including school gardening, grafting and shared storytelling.
Employment history
Current appointments
- 2026 · Current
Arabic curriculum & faculty appointments
Victorian School of Languages
- Victorian Arabic Curriculum Reviewer
- Victorian Arabic Faculty Coordinator
- Shepparton Arabic Language Representative
- Aug 2025–present
Multicultural Liaison Leader
Greater Shepparton Secondary College (GSSC) · Shepparton, Victoria
Current employer since March 2020; promoted to the leadership role in August 2025. Works Monday to Friday.
- Connect students, families, staff and community organisations, with a focus on culturally and linguistically diverse school communities.
- Provide Arabic-language support, cultural guidance and family liaison; contribute to meetings, classroom support and case-management collaboration with school leadership and wellbeing staff.
- Support cultural understanding and participation through Harmony Week, Refugee Week and school–community activities.
- Announced 16 Dec 2025 · Current
Language Instructor
Victorian School of Languages School Council · Department of Education
Commenced a Language Instructor role alongside Arabic teaching at VSL and multicultural liaison leadership at GSSC; the public announcement did not specify a separate commencement date.
- 24 Feb 2023–present
Arabic Teacher · Foundation to Year 2 (F–2)
Victorian School of Languages (VSL) · Shepparton Centre
Current employer. Teaches every Saturday.
- Support young learners to develop Arabic language skills, cultural connection and confidence in participating.
- Use stories, shared reading and practical learning activities to connect language with everyday experience.
Previous appointments · Education, business & healthcare
- Mar 2020–Aug 2025
Multicultural Liaison Officer
Greater Shepparton Secondary College · Shepparton, Victoria. Arabic-language and cultural support for students, families and the school community.
- Oct 2019–Mar 2020
Community Liaison Officer
Wilmot Road Primary School · Shepparton, Victoria.
- Oct 2018–Aug 2019
Essential Services Consultant
Saraf Special Services & ACN Asia Pacific.
- Feb 2013–Dec 2017
Managing Director
Saraf Home Renovator · Kialla, Victoria. Home renovation business experience.
- Oct–Dec 2015
Teacher’s Aide
McGuire College · Shepparton, Victoria.
- Jan 2010–Dec 2012
Supervisor
ANZ Maintenance · Lalor, Victoria. Maintenance-sector supervisory experience.
- Jan–Dec 2009
Doctor’s Assistant (Medical Assistant)
Major operating theatres · Al Hamzah General Hospital · Al-Diwaniyah, Iraq.
مساعد طبيب (معاون طبي) · قسم العمليات الكبرى · مستشفى الحمزة العام.
- Mar 2008–Jan 2009
Doctor’s Assistant (Medical Assistant)
Al Shaheed Hakim General Hospital · Baghdad, Iraq. Worked in the emergency department, major operating theatres, paediatrics department and men’s ward.
مساعد طبيب (معاون طبي) في مستشفى الحكيم ببغداد، من آذار ٢٠٠٨ إلى كانون الثاني ٢٠٠٩. عملتُ في أقسام الطوارئ والعمليات الكبرى وقسم الأطفال والقسم الرجالي.
Photographs with the medical staff → · صور مع الكوادر الطبية
- Oct 2007–Mar 2008
Doctor’s Assistant · Work experience
Al-Diwaniyah General Hospital · Iraq.
- Nov–Dec 2006
General nursing duties · Work experience
Al Hamzah General Hospital · Al-Diwaniyah, Iraq.
Education & qualifications
- 2022
Certificate IV in Education Support
Cube Institute.
- 2016
Certificate IV in Community Services Work
AGB Human Resources.
- 2013
Certificate III in Warehousing Operations
AGB Human Resources.
- 2013
Certificate II in Security Operations and First Aid
Tricore training organisation.
- 2011
Certificate I · Apply First Aid
Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE (NMIT).
- 2007
Technical Diploma in Community Health
Al-Diwaniyah Technical Institute · Iraq. Two-year diploma.
Academic project: During the first academic year, researched physical disability in Al-Diwaniyah Governorate with classmate and research partner Firas Khudair, supervised by physiology lecturer Dr Inaam.
Student public engagement: Interviewed by Al-Furat Channel at the institute’s medical and technical research exhibition in 2005. Research and study photographs →
- 2005
Year 12 · Scientific section
Al Hamzah High School · Al-Diwaniyah, Iraq.
Additional study: University of Basrah studies before the technical diploma; Level 4 English studies at NMIT, Epping.
Professional memberships
MICDA denotes membership of the Institute of Community Directors Australia. It is a professional membership designation used after a member’s name.
MICDA اختصار يدل على العضوية في معهد مديري المؤسسات المجتمعية في أستراليا، ويُستخدم بعد الاسم للدلالة على هذه العضوية المهنية.
- 2026–2027 · CurrentInstitute of Community Directors Australia · MICDA
Membership certificate authorises MICDA and expires on 1 July 2027. Public announcement shared on 4 October 2026. Certificate and announcement →
- Announced 21 Jun 2023Institute of Community Directors Australia · Member
Historical certificate authorising MICDA during its membership period. Printed expiry: 1 July 2024. View certificate →
Professional development
- 24 Jul 2025
Core Inclusion · Generational Diversity · Disability
Three SBS Inclusion / International Education Services courses.
- 23 Jul 2025
ASCIA Anaphylaxis refresher e-training
Completed with a 100% result; practical training at GSSC on the same date.
- 21 Jul 2025
Anti-racism course
Australian Human Rights Commission / Victorian Department of Education.
- 27–28 Jun 2023IMPARO workshops · Participant
Monash University project · MEAC, Mooroopna. Collaborative discussion of training, mentoring and professional development for regional interpreters and translators. Participation and sources →
- 28 Feb 2023
Culturally Appropriate Care Workshop
Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing · Two-hour face-to-face workshop.
- 14 Feb 2023
National Volunteering Conference · Attendance
Australian National University · Canberra.
- 26 Jul 2022
First Nations Course
SBS Inclusion / International Education Services.
- 24 Jul 2022
Cultural Diversity Course
SBS Inclusion / International Education Services.
- 25 Nov 2021
HLTAID009 · Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Allens Training.
- 25 Jul 2021
Growing Media I
Nursery & Garden Industry Australia · eLearning.
- 1 Oct 2020
Garden Design & Maintenance
New Skills Academy.
- 1 Oct 2020
Soils: Introducing the World Beneath Our Feet
Lancaster University / FutureLearn · Four-week online course.
- 17 Sep 2020
Leadership & professional resilience
Deakin University / FutureLearn · Completed What Is Leadership? and Professional Resilience: Building Skills to Thrive at Work. Certificates & details →
- 27 Aug 2020
Infection control & COVID-19 aged-care learning
Australian Government Department of Health / Aspen Medical · Infection-control training and four aged-care learning modules. An earlier infection-control completion is recorded on 20 March 2020. Certificates & details →
- 19 Aug 2020
Local Government Victoria Candidate Online Training
Local Government Victoria · Certificate of completion. Certificates & details →
- 20–21 Apr 2020
School support, child protection & workplace safety
Victorian Department of Education learning records include mandatory reporting, performance development, school transport, risk management and occupational health and safety. Certificates & details →
- 17 Feb 2020
General English Certification Test (GECT)
International Business Management Institute / Language Assessment Center. Certificates & details →
- 12 Feb 2020
Working with Integrity
Victorian Department of Education · Professional learning. Certificates & details →
- 10 Feb 2020
Applied Digital Skills · Gmail
Grow with Google · Certificate of completion. Certificates & details →
- 2020 & 2017
Community Leadership Program
Greater Shepparton City Council.
- 2020
Anaphylaxis e-training
Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA).
- 27 Dec 2019
The Fundamentals of Digital Marketing
Google Digital Garage, with The Open University and IAB Australia. View certificate →
- 2019
Provide Emergency First Aid Response in an Education and Care Setting
Cube Institute.
- 2019
Essential Management Skills
International Business Management Institute · Online course.
- 2016
Community Awareness Training · Building Resilience in the Community
Australian Multicultural Foundation.
Community leadership & volunteering
- Jan 2017–2024
Emergency Services Team Member · Volunteer
Australian Red Cross · Shepparton.
- Founded 2020
Founder · Multicultural Round Table Emergency Response
Founded in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic to help organise support for multicultural communities during times of crisis.
- Began May 2019
Online volunteer
United Nations Volunteers (UNV) online volunteering service.
- Feb 2016–Feb 2018
On-call volunteer · General duties
Rotary Club of Mooroopna – Satellite Club in Shepparton. Included catering support.
- Jan 2011–Feb 2014
Hospital volunteer · Emergency Department
Northern Hospital · Epping, Victoria. General volunteer duties.
- Joined Jan 2010
Authorised member
Iraqi Community Centre · Shepparton.
- Mar–Dec 2009
Pathology research volunteer
Health Staff Association · Al-Diwaniyah, Iraq.
- Mar 2007–Dec 2009
Community health awareness volunteer
Iraqi Red Crescent Society · Al-Diwaniyah, Iraq.
Participated in avian-influenza awareness campaigns in schools and government institutions. Photographs from this service →
Community contributions
- 2025 — Participated in community humanitarian solidarity activities in Shepparton and at the Parliament of Victoria.
- 2023 — Participated in Monash University’s IMPARO workshops on mentoring and professional development for regional interpreters and translators.
- 2022 — Supported Arabic-speaking community members during the floods, including helping a family reach a relief centre with other volunteers.
- 2022 — Contributed to Arabic–English COVID-19 vaccination videos for the Ethnic Council, published through Healthily.
- 2022 recognition / 2021 response — Contributed as a GV Cares volunteer to the community food and essentials response; the team received the Pandemic Response Team award.
- 2021 — Translated and shared Arabic school and public-health information during Shepparton’s COVID-19 outbreak.
- 2017 — Participated in the Community Cricket Cup, bringing local multicultural communities together.
- Other community service — Volunteer driving, community events and local radio conversations through ONE FM 98.5.
Projects & creative practice
- 2026
GSSC Cultural and Language Expo
Originated the idea and led the school’s first-ever Cultural and Language Expo as GSSC’s Multicultural Liaison Leader (MLL). Held on 18 June 2026 alongside Family CALD Night, the inaugural event brought students, families and the school community together to celebrate cultural heritage and language.
- 25 Oct 2025
VSL Shepparton Cultural & Languages Expo · Arabic station
Led the Arabic station at the first Cultural & Languages Expo hosted by the Victorian School of Languages – Shepparton Centre at GSSC. The station connected Arabic learning with maps, flags, landmarks, cultural displays and activities for young visitors.
- 2025 · Ongoing mentorship
Student mentorship & Story Seekers Book Project Club
Mentor and project guide. Supports students at school and beyond the classroom, encouraging learning, confidence, leadership, community service and creative development.
Guided the Story Seekers Book Project Club, in which 38 students participated as writers and interviewers to share stories of the GSSC school family: its leadership team, teachers, educators and students.
- 2025 recognition · Completed 2023
The Way to Freedom · Part 1: The Journey
Writer and co-director, alongside producer and co-director Darryl McConnell. Completed in 2023 for Refugee Week 2023, this GSSC school and community film involved more than 350 students and staff, exploring displacement, resettlement and belonging.
The film received the Chairperson’s Refugee Stories Award at the 2025 Multicultural Film Festival and is available through SBS On Demand. Community screenings have included discussion and panel conversations. Part 2: The Camp is planned.
- 2023 · Latest project activity
School horticulture & practical learning
- Supported The Patch school garden, including tree donations and planting with students; recognised in school and local coverage in 2023.
- Hosted GSSC Year 11 VCE Agriculture students in November 2022 for practical grafting and budding activities.
- GSSC letter of appreciation for support of the SENSE of HUMUS class, 30 November 2021.
- 2017
Ask the Cows · Community storybook project
Project team member and contributor through Greater Shepparton City Council’s Community Leadership Program. The book was written by Adelle Brown and Katrina Rowland; the project team also included Hussam Saraf, Kara McCann and Karen Sacuzzo.
Helped share a story of cultural diversity and belonging through free copies for schools, libraries, kindergartens and community centres.
Ongoing & undated creative work
- 2026 · Current service
Paid website advertising · hussamsaraf.org
Offers clearly labelled paid advertising placements for businesses, services and events on hussamsaraf.org, with format, placement, duration and pricing agreed before publication.
- Ongoing interests & enterprise
Saraf Rosary · Hussam Saraf Gardens Journey
Business, creative and gardening projects, including rosary beads, fruit trees, plant propagation and multi-grafting.
- Digital design
Forum themes & online communities
Early forum-theme designs shared through Hitskin, alongside writing and participation in online communities.
Books, research & articles
- Updated 2025 · First issued 2024
Just the Right Book for EAL Students
Author: Hussam Saraf. GSSC education project and reading guide for EAL students in Years 7–12.
- Announced 2024 · Forthcoming
Embarrassing Diversity in Education
A Call to Redefine Our Future. Forthcoming writing project, announced 23 December 2024. Cover and announcement →
- Written 2020
Through Their Eyes
Author: Hussam Saraf. The Untold Journeys of Refugee Students During COVID-19. Stories of remote learning, language barriers, resilience and support.
- Written 2017
Between the Ashes and the Stars
Author: Hussam Saraf. A Window into the Lives of Refugee Students. Stories of displacement, survival, education and belonging; third edition available.
- 2010 · Earlier articles from 2009
Al-Husseini Articles · مقالات الحسيني
Early articles originally written and published in Arabic as Sayyid Hussam Al-Saraf Al-Husseini. The archive contains eight articles, including one in two parts, and a 2009 interview. A bilingual reading edition brings together the Arabic originals, English translations and original publication links.
- 2009
واقع المدينة: الواقع البيئي والصحي لمدينة الحمزة
The Reality of the City: Environmental and Health Conditions in Al-Hamza
Author and field researcher: Hussam Saraf. A 382-page Arabic study of the environmental and health conditions of Al-Hamza, Iraq. The manuscript was handwritten by calligrapher Haider Hashim; 100 photocopied, professionally bound copies were distributed free to relevant government institutions.
Explore all books and available PDFs →
Ongoing research
- 2020–present
Islamic Research & Studies · البحوث والدراسات الإسلامية
Author and researcher: Hussam Saraf. An eleven-book bilingual research programme exploring creation, life, divine guidance and the Hereafter through the Quran and the narrations of Ahl al-Bayt. The first seven books are written and unprinted. The Story of the Universe is available as complete Arabic (538 pages) and English (510 pages) PDFs with front and back covers (ISBN 978-1-7642390-1-1; files revised 14 October 2026). Volume One of The Story of Divine Guidance is available as complete Arabic (1,285 pages) and English (1,162 pages) PDFs with front and back covers (first edition 2026; ISBN 978-1-7642390-4-2). Later volumes of Divine Guidance and the final three books remain in progress.
Awards & recognition
- 5 Aug 2025 · Announcement
Victorian Early Years Awards · Two nominations
Educator of the Year (CNOM9) and Early Childhood Teacher of the Year (CNOM6), connected with Arabic teaching at the Victorian School of Languages.
- 19 Jun 2025
Chairperson’s Refugee Stories Award · Film award
The Way to Freedom · 2025 Multicultural Film Festival, Victorian Multicultural Commission, ACMI Melbourne. Shared film achievement as writer and co-director; also an official festival selection.
- 5 Sep 2023GSSC horticulture appreciation plaque
Appreciation for commitment to the GSSC horticulture program and The Patch. View plaque →
- 15 May 2023
Greater Shepparton Volunteer Recognition Awards · Team nomination
GSSC Multicultural Liaison Officer team nomination and certificate of appreciation.
- 16 May 2022
Pandemic Response Team · Winning team
GV Cares · Greater Shepparton Volunteer Recognition Awards. Recognition of the volunteer team’s collective response.
- 30 Nov 2021
GSSC letter of appreciation
Recognition for horticultural support of the SENSE of HUMUS class.
- 6 Oct 2021
Guinness World Record achievement
Most types of fruit on a single tree. Five fruit types/species on one tree; media coverage described ten varieties.
- 1 Dec 2020
Victorian Fires 2019–2020 commemorative pin
Australian Red Cross recognition, presented on behalf of the Premier of Victoria and the Victorian community for emergency-service contributions during the bushfire season.
- 2019
Greater Shepparton Volunteer Recognition Awards · Nominations
Male Volunteer and Long Serving Volunteer categories, with certificates of appreciation.
- 22 Mar 2018
Contribution Recognition Award
Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District.
- 2017
Greater Shepparton Volunteer Recognition Awards · Nomination
Male Volunteer category, with a certificate of appreciation.
View awards, nominations and certificate evidence →
Additional recognition · Date not recorded
- Additional recognition
HESTA Awards · Nomination
Nomination acknowledged in the professional profile.
Languages & referees
Languages: Arabic and English. Experience includes Arabic teaching, translation, interpreting and communication across school and community settings.
Referees: Available on request.
Supporting portfolio: Education · Community · Certificates and awards · Publications · Project photographs
Hussam Saraf · Professional resume · hussamsaraf.org/resume/
