Love the place you live: A pioneer’s story 

Nasser and Farzaneh Sedghi arrived in Sydney from India in 1984. 

Arriving as refugees, and with little financial support, they spent three years living in the city before deciding to move to a regional area to strengthen the Baha’i Faith’s community-building efforts. 

“In 1988, out of nowhere, Baha’u’llah’s confirmation blessed us and we landed in Dubbo, New South Wales, though we had no idea where Dubbo was!” Nasser says. 

“At the time, our son, Nabet, was three, and Nava, our daughter, was one.”

Since their arrival in Dubbo, Nasser says the family has been “continuously blessed” with “a loving community with so many great achievements”.

It’s been 37 years now, and Dubbo has hosted several summer schools, art exhibitions, and the iconic multicultural festival initiated in 1993 by the local Baha’i governing body, the Local Spiritual Assembly. “It has gone on to become a most popular event in the region and was recognised by the Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia (FECCA) and the Dubbo City Council,” Nasser says. 

The Wambuul-Baaka cluster, a geographic area which includes Dubbo, Coonamble, Cobar and Walgett, among others, is currently in need of more individuals to help strengthen the community-building process and further develop its core activities including children’s classes, junior youth groups, devotional gatherings and study circles. 

According to Nasser, the call “should be welcomed by many dedicated families”. 

“During the past 37 years in Dubbo, we are so grateful to Baha’u’llah’s confirmations as well as the guidance from the Baha’i institutions that we can’t be thankful enough,” he says. 

“We have built up two successful businesses – one in food and hospitality and another one in the IT industry and we are more than happy to assist anyone, especially with family, who is interested in moving in and settling in Dubbo. 

“We never felt any issues with the level of educational facilities during our children’s education. They did achieve a highly distinctive and professional university education. There are much more other university level-educational courses along with many other job opportunities available in recent years in Dubbo.”

Farzaneh says bringing up children in a regional area is better for their future.

“It is much better as they get familiar with hardship and experience country lifestyle.” for their better future,” she says.

Nasser says with the advent of greater remote working opportunities, there has never been a better time to consider settling in a regional area.

“Employment opportunities remain vast,” he says. “Dubbo is well connected and just a one hour flight from Sydney.”

Nasser says no matter where an individual decides to settle, they will be faced with tests and difficulties. He says it was important to always pray, to turn to the Baha’i institutions, and trust in Baha’u’llah. 

“Prayerfully make the decision and move on. Love the place you are going to live and see the positives more than the negatives. Then, you will have a happy life.”