Norma Medawar’s idea to start a support group for refugees and migrants was inspired by her own experiences fleeing Syria.
Ms Medawar moved to Australia with her sister and brother-in-law in 2015.
She quickly became a well known and trusted figure within the community.
“People tell me their private stories because we have similar journeys,” she said.
After seeing that there was a need for a support group for other refugees and migrants, Ms Medawar decided to open Zenobia.
“Most families that fled from Syria don’t have family here and they find it isolating.”
Ms Medawar said it was during lockdown that she started the support group.
“I started to hear about women talking about family violence incidents, how depressed they are, or people would call and say I feel lockdown triggered our trauma in Syria,” she said.
“I started thinking, ‘what can I do to help?’ Especially in the northern suburbs where most Syrians live.”
Ms Medawar said she focuses on what people’s needs are and how she can help them.
“We do yoga, meditation, talk about mental health and physical health and we always check if there’s any topic in particular they want to talk about.”
Ms Medawar said Zenobia gives people the opportunity to socialise and helps them feel connected to a community.
“They feel lost here and we encourage them to leave home and do activities or start a course.
Zenobia takes its name from a third century queen.
“She was strong, a protector of minorities and she was a great model in leadership,” Ms Medawar said.
“She’s an empowering queen, Zenobia is to empower women.”
