Page 11 - BOL June 21 Edition

LOCAL STORIES
John Machin England to Iran and then to Australia!: With the lure of

job opportunities open to John with his long experience of
working on gas lines and operating heavy equipment, in 1973
the young couple took the opportunity to return to Farah’s
home country Iran.

However, after 5 months, the “old chestnut” of religion reared
its nasty head, as those job opportunities quickly dissolved,
when John and Farah acknowledged their Bahai Faith. Eg:
those seeking jobs were required to acknowledge their
religion and Bahai’s were discriminated against.

Unwilling to return to the cold English climate, the young couple turned their attention to South Africa and might have
been lost forever to the African continent if not for the opportune suggestion of “Uncle Habib” who recommended they try
Australia. Despite a fear of the 200 varieties of venomous snakes said to inhabit Australia, Farah agreed and they made an
application to the Australian Embassy in Tehran for a visa to move “Down Under” where Australia was adjusting to its first
change of Government at a federal level in 23 years with the recent election of the Whitlam Government. A new Immigration
Minister in the form of the colourful Al Grassby was also breaking down the last vestiges of the “White Austrlalia Policy” and
the Machins were granted a Visa in just 24 hours.
We now call Australia home!

Within a week the young family had landed in Sydney and moved out to
Parramatta like so many recent arrivals and within 2 days, John had found work
with the Howard Rotovator Company making Farm equipment.

Over the following 15 years, the family moulded into their new Aussie lifestyle
in the western suburbs of Sydney welcoming twin girls Rayarneh & Larden in
1975 and also taking out Aussie citizenship that same year. “We loved the Aussie
lifestyle and the opportunities it offered to our family. It was a busy time for us
in juggling the interests of the kids with Nayson taking up Martial Arts, Rayarneh
enjoying swimming and Larden excelling at showhorse riding,” stated Farah who
was also busy continuing her work and volunteering in aged care homes.

Move to the Sunshine State!: The lure to live on acreage and own their own farm grew steadily during the 1980s and in
1990, the family left the noisy suburbs of western Sydney and moved to the quiet South Burnett town of Nanango to live on a
7 acres property (small farm) for the next two decades. John and Farah immersed themselves in the local country life, joined
the local Progress Association and volunteered with several community groups in helping others around Town.

The Queensland of late 2010 & early 2011 was a terrible time for many as floods affected vast areas of the state. The Machins
were hit hard as floods destroyed much of their belongings in storage as they prepared for a move to Brisbane to be closer
to family.

However, “Every Cloud has a Silver Lining” Farah remarked. “The loss of our storage saw us come to live in our current home
in the Mango Hill Village. We love our new home here and the people in our community. We joined the Progress Association
when we saw what they did for the community and we enjoy every minute of volunteering, in particular the local Skate Nights.
When the kids come up to us and say Thank You, we just love it.”

In 2019, following 9 years of commitment and dedication to the Mango Hill community, John
Machin was awarded Life Membership of the Mango Hill Progress Association. In receiving
his award, John acknowledged that he could not have done what he did without the support
of Farah.

On reflection: “We remember back to when we came first arrived in Sydney. Australians
were so welcoming. When we arrived, it was our decision and there were no hand-outs. But,
there were opportunities for us and our children.

We are very proud to be Aussies and appreciate what this country has done for us. In return,
we will do all we can to make Australia even better”
Farah and John Machin

June 2021 www.bestoflocal.com.au 11