Community leader and Hobsons Bay 2023 Citizen of the Year Nas Khan tells Jennifer Pittorino about her work in Seabrook and her connection to the inner west.
Can you tell us your name and title?
My name is Nas Khan and I live in Seabrook. I moved from Singapore to Melbourne in the late 80’s to study and loved it so much that I stayed here. I came to live in Seabrook in 2005.
Tell us a bit about you and what you do?
I’m an autism teacher and am very passionate about my work. I just love seeing the gains the children make. This is a field I have been in for about 40 years now.
I’m also a huge animal lover and very passionate about animal advocacy and responsible pet ownership. I have had three Staffordshire bull terriers in the past and now have two Tenterfield terriers. We also enjoy the company of our neighbour’s cat who thinks she is the owner of the house . Often I would come home to find her sleeping with my dogs!
Tell us about your work in the community?
It all started when when I tried to get drinking fountains for dogs installed in the park. From there, it took off to bigger things. Some of the things I have done with the collaboration of the community.
This involved putting submissions in to council to get things such as a mural at Seabrook Shopping centre, a monthly coffee cart at our monthly community event and upgrades in the parks.
I run our local community group with three other wonderful people, we hold events such as Easter, Christmas, the Seabrook garden produce meet, the monthly coffee cart, Dawn service and so many more.
I love seeing the community connected , the brainstorming , the development of friendships and the collaboration to make Seabrook a wonderful and vibrant community.
How did it feel to be awarded citizen of the year
I am grateful to be chosen and awarded Citizen of the Year. I am embarrassed by the attention it has brought as I like to work quietly behind the scenes. I don’t really see what the fuss is about because I’m the sort of person who springs into action as soon as I see an issue and work to rectify it.
What are your goals for the coming year?
Plenty! There are still a few projects I have in mind and would like to put in place.
What’s your connection to Maribyrnong/ Hobsons Bay? What do you like about where you live?
I bought my first house in Seabrook about 18 years ago.
We are a small community in Hobson Bay but we are very connected. Our community is also multicultural and recently, we started organising a few multicultural events to educate the community about different cultures, customs and traditions.
What, if anything, would you change about where you live?
The traffic. The traffic is just crazy !
Where is your favourite local place to spend time?
I love going the beach or walking along Skeleton Creek with my dogs and my camera. I also quite a homebody, listening to music ,pottering around in the garden or just being with my dogs.
Tell us something people would be surprised to know about you.
That I’ve never had dogs in my life and was afraid of them.
