When Bashar arrives for a shift as a Patient Transport Officer (PTO) with St John Ambulance Victoria, he brings more than clinical skills; he brings a story of resilience, courage and starting again.

In August 2014, Bashar’s life changed in a single day.

Living in Nineveh, an ancient Iraqi town once home to around 55,000 people, Bashar had built a successful life as a veterinarian. After six years of study, he established and ran his own clinic for two decades, specialising in poultry care. He had a home, a business and stability for his young family.

Then ISIS arrived.

“They gave people three choices: convert, support them, or leave,” Bashar recalls.

Like tens of thousands of others, Bashar and his family fled. What should have been a one-hour drive to safety turned into a full day navigating checkpoints amid chaos, as nearly 50,000 people escaped at once.

“In one day, everything was gone,” he says. “Twenty years of work… just like that.”

He lost many assets; his home, his clinic and his savings. What remained was his wife, his children and the determination to rebuild.

Starting again in Australia

After time in northern Iraq and two years in Jordan awaiting resettlement, Bashar and his family were granted visas to several countries. Australia was the first to call.

They arrived in Brisbane before quickly relocating to Melbourne in search of a fresh start.

Bashar initially hoped to return to veterinary practice, but the reality of retraining, four more years of study and significant cost, made it unfeasible while supporting his family.

“I didn’t want to rely on assistance,” he says. “I wanted to build something again.”

While learning English, a teacher suggested something entirely new: becoming a paramedic.

“In Iraq, ambulances only transport patients. I didn’t even know what a paramedic was,” he says with a smile.

That moment changed his path.

Finding purpose at St John

After completing a Non-Emergency Patient Transport course, Bashar began working in the industry before eventually joining St John Ambulance Victoria, where he has now spent seven years.

“What I appreciate about St John is the patience,” he says. “My English wasn’t strong, my driving needed improvement, but they supported me, trained me and helped me grow.”

Today, Bashar is a valued PTO, providing safe, compassionate transport for patients across Victoria.

While he had opportunities to progress further, he has made a conscious choice to remain in a role that offers balance.

“I want to look after myself and my family,” he says. “Time with them matters most.”

A different perspective on life

Having lost everything once, Bashar’s outlook on life has fundamentally shifted.

“Money doesn’t mean the same anymore,” he reflects. “When you lose everything in one day, you realise what really matters.”

For Bashar, that is family.

He and his wife are raising four sons, two born in Iraq and two in Australia. Their journey hasn’t been without challenges. His eldest son experienced trauma after the events in Iraq, but with support in Melbourne, he is now thriving.

Each week, the family comes together at church, a connection that remains central to their lives.

“My family is my treasure,” Bashar says.

Making a difference

At St John, Bashar has found more than a job, he has found purpose.

“The best part is helping people feel safe,” he says. “Sometimes, just talking to a patient can make all the difference.”

His background in veterinary care has translated naturally into patient care.

“The only difference,” he jokes, “is now my patients can talk back.”

But it is his lived experience, his empathy, patience and quiet strength that truly defines his approach.

A new home, a new chapter

Despite the hardships that brought him here, Bashar speaks with deep gratitude about his life in Australia.

“I was born in Iraq, but this is my country now,” he says. “Australia gave me a second chance.”

From fleeing conflict to caring for patients across Victoria, Bashar’s journey is a reminder of resilience, and of the impact a supportive community can have.

At St John Ambulance Victoria, that support has helped him not only rebuild his life but continue doing what he has always done best: caring for others when they need it most.