Sobia and Irfan Hashmi

Local Heroes of the Year 2025, pharmacists and migrant community leaders

Over 20 years, Sobia Hashmi and husband Irfan have transformed healthcare in remote and rural communities in South Australia. They’ve established six pharmacies in areas where there were previously none – which forced people to travel long distances for basic medications and care.

Sobia and Irfan are committed to serving their diverse communities, and to this end employ staff who collectively speak 21 languages, allowing them to reach vulnerable populations and provide culturally sensitive healthcare.

They have mentored countless intern pharmacists from overseas, coordinating multilingual education and outreach initiatives to help pharmacists enter the much-needed workforce in regional Australia. Their free weekly webinar series has assisted 4,000 overseas pharmacists in passing their exams in the last 12 months alone.

Their pharmacy group has won various awards and recognition for its commitment to improving health literacy and access to healthcare services, including an SA Multicultural Governor’s Award in in 2022.

Meet our Ambassadors

Gill Golding

South Australian Citizen of the Year 2024

Gill is an inspirational leader who feels the pulse of her community in Hackham West and the hardship it faces as a low socio-economic area ranking in the top 3 percentile of disadvantaged suburbs nationally, with significant levels of disadvantage across a myriad of social indicators.

Glyn Scott

Founder, Love Hope & Gratitude Foundation, 2024 SA Senior Australian Of The Year Nominee

Glyn Scott survived years of violence and sexual abuse – first as a child and later in her first marriage. In 2006, Glyn gave evidence to the Children in State Care Commission of Inquiry about her childhood experience of sexual abuse.

Alexandra Seal

Young Citizen of the Year 2024

Alexandra is a dedicated and passionate advocate for social justice, community service and environmental sustainability, demonstrating active citizenship and enhancement of community life through various platforms, both within and without her school.

Kylan Beech

Young Citizen of the Year 2024

Just before Kylan Beech’s 14th birthday, he lost his mother, Tammy, to cancer. Rather than focusing on his grief, Kylan became determined to help ensure others would not have to experience the same tragedy.

Stella Braund

Mental Health and Social Justice Advocate and nominee for South Australian of the Year 2024

Stella Braund uses her lived experience of childhood domestic violence and sexual assault -at home and in institutional settings – to improve people’s lives.

Nasir Hussain

Diversity Advocate & President of Muslim Australian Connections of South Australia

Since migrating to Australia in 2006, Nasir has devoted himself to building bridges between Muslims and the wider Australian society.
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