After fleeing Afghanistan during the Soviet-Afghan war (1979-89), Basir Abbass claimed asylum in Iran.
The conflict in his homeland saw insurgent groups, known collectively as the Mujahideen fight a nine-year guerrilla war against the armies of the Soviet Union and the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan, resulting in casualties numbering in the millions.
Mr Abbass told SBS Pashto he witnessed the devastation firsthand.
In this file photo taken Sunday, April 2, 1989, An Afghan guerrilla stands on top of one of the Soviet-made army tanks captured near Jalalabad. Source: AP
“In 1979, when the Russians invaded Afghanistan, followed by the war of the Mujahideen, I saw blood on the streets, I was lucky that I wasn’t shot,” he said.
“We had to leave Afghanistan overnight with family and cross the border into Iran. We left family and friends behind.”
His wife Persila Abbass, who was his fiance at the time, had family members in Australia, and the pair was invited to immigrate.
Mr Abbass with his wife Persila Abbass. Source: SBS Pashto
But Mr Abbass said due to the unsafe circumstances, his fiance made the trek to Australia first, leaving him in a state of uncertainty in Iran.
“I was disappointed and thought I might lose her too. I had to wait one year, three months twenty-four days and six hours, as I counted every minute to join her.”
His dream finally came true when they were reunited in 1986.
But like many new migrants in Australia, Mr Abbass had to start from the ground up.
He secured a job as a truck driver for Accent Windows, a Melbourne-based company that makes aluminium windows.
His talents were soon recognised by his employer who offered him a role as a floor supervisor.
“When I came to Accent, I started as a truck driver and had two bosses, one day they came to me and said, ‘I think you got a bit of brains, let’s put you on the supervision of the floor’, and after one month they promoted me to manager, and from there I never looked back.”
In 2007, Mr Abbass’ life took an unexpected path.
Source: SBS Pashto
“In 2007, when the company got into some difficulties, the boss offered me a 50 per cent share, and I accepted on one condition that I will be the main driver of the business."
He said he refused to take wages during the following two years as he worked to bring the company back to its feet.
Since he was working around the clock, he was offered the remaining 50 per cent of the company's shares, on a condition that he keeps his former employer on.
“My business partner said, 'I am 60 years old, and you are going too fast'. He offered the remaining shares and asked if he can be employed back.
I said, in 1989 I came as a refugee and you gave me a job, so now you can work here until you wish to.
The company today employs more than 70 people.
“When I started working, we had four people working for Accent Windows, but now we got more than 70 working for us, I am proud of that.
"We are fortunate to make money in this country, and we decided to give back to the local community through sport.”
Mr Abbass thanks Australia for giving him the opportunity to succeed.
Mr Abbass was a finalist at the 2019 Ethnic Business Awards, where he met Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Source: SBS Pashto
“They say Australia is a lucky country in the world, but I say it is the luckiest. I want to be an inspiration for other migrants, if I can come to this country with $100 and if I can make it, I am sure everyone can make it.”
