Dr. Saba Nabi – From India to Wagga Wagga regional leader
Dr. Saba Nabi OAM, whose name means ‘morning breeze’, tries to bring “daily vitality and freshness,” to her adopted community of Wagga Wagga in southern NSW.
Her remarkable journey – from the bustling streets of Patna, in northeastern India, to earning an Order of Australia Medal, is a testament to her resilience, adaptability, and a deep commitment to community.
Saba grew up in a close-knit family with her two sisters. Her parents defied societal norms at the time by prioritising their daughters’ education in a ‘patriarchal society’.
“Having all girls was a big challenge for my parents,” Saba reflects. “In our culture, daughters are often married off and move into their husbands’ homes, but I’m thankful my parents never compromised on our education.”
Her love for science and fascination with how medicines work led her to study pharmacy at Jamia Hamdard University in Delhi, followed by an MBA in Pharmaceutical Management. “I couldn’t get into medicine because it was very competitive,” she says.
“But I loved studying pharmacy, and it opened doors to a fulfilling career.”
Saba’s life took a transformative turn when her husband, Syed, received a PhD offer from Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga. They decided to accept the offer, leaving behind their careers in Saudi Arabia, where Saba had been working as a lecturer.
The couple, along with their six-month-old daughter, decided to start afresh in Australia.
“Syed went first to set everything up, and we followed later,” Saba recalls. “We knew no one in Wagga, but we became pillars of strength for each other.”
The transition from Delhi to the quiet regional town of Wagga Wagga was challenging.
“When I first saw the Charles Sturt University campus, I asked my husband, ‘Is this really a uni? Where are all the people?’,” she says.
Saba made a conscious decision to embrace her new community with energy.
“As soon as I arrived, I introduced myself to the neighbours and began volunteering to help wherever I could,” she says.
Gradually, Saba settled into her new environment, bringing with her the values of hospitality and connection ingrained during her Indian upbringing.
“We live by the philosophy of Atithi Devo Bhava – seeing the guest as God,” she explains. “I’ve carried that into my Australian life and taught it to my daughter.”
Volunteering became a cornerstone of Saba’s life in Australia.
“I’m not a TV person,” she explains. “If I can bring joy to someone or help my community, that’s time well spent.”
Her first step into community service was joining the Parents and Citizens Association at her daughter’s school. This involvement opened doors to advocacy roles, including serving on the Riverina Board of the NSW P&C Association.
One of her proudest milestones was becoming the first international student elected to the Charles Sturt University Student Board.
“There’s a lot of fear as an international student – myths about visas and deportation,” she says. “It felt empowering to represent them and address their concerns.”
Adapting to Australian customs also brought humorous moments. At one university event, she was told to “bring a plate!”
Thinking it meant an empty plate, she instead brought samosas and pakoras.
“I thought I was doing something great, but everyone else had brought food too,” she recalls.
Saba’s curiosity and drive led her to roles as an AFL Multicultural Ambassador, a member of the Australia Day Committee, and publicity officer for the Country Women’s Association (CWA).
“The CWA ladies were so warm and friendly,” she says. “When I had my second child, they were like mothers to me, bringing gifts and checking in on me.”
Her work with Cancer Council Australia holds a special place in her heart, having lost close family members to cancer. She actively promotes cancer screening awareness among multicultural communities and her daughter, inspired by this work, has volunteered at events like Pink Ribbon Day since the age of four.
In 2023, Saba was honoured with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for her contributions to the community. Initially, she thought the email announcing the award was a scam.
“When I read it to my husband, he said, ‘Don’t give them your details!’” she remembers with a laugh.
Once confirmed, the news made her emotional.
“It showed that people valued my contributions,” Saba says. “My parents and in-laws were the happiest people on the planet.”
Her recognition has inspired others, including a migrant family who recently stopped her at a mall to take a photo. The father told her, “You’re never hindered by barriers –we want to be like you.”
As a member of the Multicultural NSW Advisory Board, Saba represents regional migrants, advocating for issues like respect for overseas qualifications and the need for interpreters.
“It can be challenging when you don’t know how to navigate the system,” she says.
Saba has embraced Australian life while staying connected to her Indian heritage. She celebrates festivals like Holi, Diwali, and Eid with the growing local Indian community, describing it as an extended family.
“We organise events and stay connected, it helps with homesickness,” she says.
She also values the diversity of her friendships.
“I’ve made great friends from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iraq, Indonesia, and, of course, Australia,” she says. “It’s amazing to learn from each other.”
Despite the challenges of settling in a new country, Saba remains optimistic.
“Every day is a new challenge,” she says. “But investing time and energy in people always leads to meaningful connections.”
Saba’s favourite quote by Eleanor Roosevelt, former first lady of the United States, reflects her journey: ‘No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.’ It’s a mantra that has guided her through moments of doubt and cultural adjustment.
Dr Saba Nabi’s story – from a determined student in Patna to a respected leader in Wagga Wagga, is an inspiring narrative of resilience, identity, and contribution.
“I am proud of my journey,” she says. “It’s about embracing where you are and making it better for others.”