Marie Myssy, an SBS Radio pioneer, was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for services to multicultural communities.
Born in Beirut, Ms Myssy – then an Arabic language teacher – migrated to Australia in 1975 and Joined SBS in 1980. "I feel privileged to have witnessed the evolution of SBS to become the professional organisation that it is today," she told SBS Arabic24.
During the 39 years she had worked at SBS, Ms Myssy progressed from the position of broadcast Journalist to senior producer and executive producer of the Arabic24 Program, broadcasting back then for two hours a day before evolving into a 24/7 channel.
Throughout her 39-year media career, the former executive producer worked tirelessly to keep Arab-Australians updated with the latest news in their mother-tongue language. Her warm voice carried reassurance in times when wars raged in the Middle East.
Speaking to Good Morning Australia, Ms Myssy spoke about the moment she received a call from the office of the Governor-General, letting her know she was to be made an Officer of the Order of Australia: “I felt so proud but I also sensed a big responsibility. I used to interview people who were being honoured. It never occurred to me I’d get awarded for doing the job I love."
I would like to dedicate the medal to the Arab community and the listeners whom we enter their homes without permission every morning. The community that I’m proud to be part of.
Her work experience at SBS gave her the opportunity to make substantial contributions to awareness campaigns in the spheres of health, politics and settlement services.
She said her passion for the Arabic language started at an early stage of her life:
"It’s a beautiful language. I worked as a teacher in Lebanon for nine years before getting married and migrating to Australia. When I first came here, I started working on my English language because I wanted to have a career, I wanted to achieve something," she said.
French-educated, Ms Myssy said she had no idea she’d spend her entire career at SBS working in the language she loved the most: "I spent more time at SBS than I did at home. I was lucky to see Australia through the lens of SBS. It [SBS] helped me expand my horizons and get to the know my community closely," she said.
Executive producer for SBS Arabic24 Audio & Language Content, Sylva Mezher, said Ms Myssy produced and covered hundreds of political and social stories about migration settlement and cultural issues.
“She was bold and brave …one of the first Arabic journalists to talk about and expose taboo topics such as genital mutilation widely common in Arabic communities in North African countries,” Ms Mezher said.
Marie Myssy and current Executive Producer of SBS Arabic24, Sylva Mezher. Source: SBS
She raised awareness, informed and touched the Arabic community with her warm and smart approach.
Ms Myssy, who became an SBS executive producer in 2012 and launched the Digital Arabic Channel on March 7, 2016, was recognised by the community and received many awards over the years.
“Her biggest achievement was growing the Arabic team from four to seven members to upwards of 17 members with three live programs,” Ms Mezher said.
“Marie left her mark on the team and on everyone else who worked with her. She was passionate and dedicated to the end and truly inspired the team.”
Charity work honoured
Lebanese-Australian Tony Paul Hasham was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in recognition of his outstanding achievements and services with multiple charity organisations.
Mr Hashm is involved with two charities that focus on helping and supporting children.
The first one is Variety which helps sick and disadvantaged children with a wide range of support services while the second is Life Education represented by toy giraffe “Healthy Harold” which visits schools to provide valuable lessons to students about personal safety, physical activity, positive relationships and cyberbullying.
Mr Hasham is the former chairman of Life Education who expressed his pride and pleasure in receiving this award as a migrant, and encouraged all migrants to get more involved in volunteering and charity work for the great self-satisfaction that it gives and the feeling of belonging to and being part of the community.
Mohamed Hage received a Medal of the Order Australian for services to Australia-Arab business, trade and investment relations.
Tony Hasham was recognised for his work with children's charities. Source: Tony Hasham
Mr Mohamed told SBS Arabic24: “I was very surprised when I received the medal because I provided the community especially my Arabic community with trade and commercial services.”
“I am very proud to be Australian from Lebanese background. My services to the different communities show the importance of multiculturalism in Australia.”
Mohamed Hage received the Order of Australia Medal. Source: Mohamed Hage
Melissa Attia, who has Egyptian heritage, is the Director of Community and Organisation Development and the Deputy General Manager at Cumberland City Council.
She was awarded the Public Service Medal in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours List.
She is also a long-time resident of the Cumberland Local Government area and says she is a passionate advocate for the local community and the richness it has provided for her and her family.
In her professional life, Ms Attia is responsible for both Council’s community services and development activities as well as internal corporate support and organisation development functions.
With respect to the medal, she said: “What I would say is that I am very proud because this is an award for the whole of the Cumberland Community, and Council as a service provider within that community.”
Melissa Attia received an Order of Australia for her council work in response to the pandemic. Source: Melissa Attia
I am (just) one person in over 900 people who all worked together to achieve what we did during the crisis presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I am privileged to work alongside such passionate and dedicated people, both within Council, but also looking more broadly to the community organisations and leaders we partnered with and also not-for-profit groups and other government organisations.
“The amazing results our community was able to realise during the crisis could not have been achieved without the combined efforts of all these individuals and groups.”
She said she also wanted to thank those who had nominated and endorsed her for the award but more importantly, all the people who worked with her in the various organisation.
