Bashar Hanna is a civil engineer, project manager, businessman, social worker, educator, multi-instrumentalist, composer, writer, choir leader, producer, and arts & community cultural development specialist.
Across the landscape of Sydney, Bashar has designed and implemented social change through creative initiatives which aimed to connect, engage and empower the creative capacity and social cohesion of both culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) middle eastern communities, and broader Australian communities. More narrowly, his focus has been on disadvantaged residents, families and youth.
Bashar has consistently introduced and facilitated creative opportunities to effectively immerse his artistic groups into Sydney’s mainstream arts landscape. From numerous concerts to drama projects, theatrical performances, the McDonald’s Sydney Eisteddfod, the John Lamble Foundation Australasian Open Choral Championship, Opera Australia’s Western Sydney Community Choirs, multiple CD productions, and further arts and community development projects.
Today, Bashar works for the Department of Education as well as operates an arts and community development consultancy based in the heart of multicultural Fairfield City. His goal is to facilitate creative partnerships to build an inclusive Australian community – through the beauty of song, art and shared understanding.
In 2015, Bashar won the ZEST Award for community leadership, and in 2018, Bashar was named a Community Fellow of Western Sydney University. In 2019, Bashar established The Australian Mesopotamian Cultural Association Inc. and he is its current public officer.
On the queen’s birthday 2021, Bashar was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his long and distinguished service to multiculturalism and refugee support in Western Sydney. Later that same year, Bashar was awarded the title of the ‘Influencer of the Year’ by the Third Sector.
On Australia Day 2022, Bashar was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award by Fairfield City Council.
An Australian citizen of Mesopotamian descent, Bashar carries a message of peace and love: a reminder that we as humans can live in both intercultural and inter-community harmony.
Bashar is featured as a panellist in the upcoming 2023 Najm Anoujoum Competition.
Mr Hanna may be contacted on (02) 8739 6884.
