Success Stories | Refugee Stories | Media | Thrive Refugee Enterprise

In the media

Thrive has been extensively covered on various media outlets, from the success stories of our founding members to information about our organisation. We are proud to be a part of over 230 refugee success stories, where we have supported them in various ways, from financial support to business and mentoring assistance.

From stories about refugees seeking asylum from their home countries to articles about the impact of refugee-owned businesses in Australia, Thrive has been featured on several news websites and media outlets that discuss refugee-related issues in Australian society.

Some topics include Thrive’s financial and business support for refugees, the important contributions these business owners have made to the Australian economy and how successful businesses are helping other refugees who have just arrived in Australia, to name a few.

Thrive’s refugee success stories have been featured on various media outlets, including:

• Australian channel 9News
• New South Wales-based daily paper The Newcastle Herald
• British news portal Daily Mail
• The Newcomer, which shares inspiring tales of Australia immigrants)
• Make Refuge, which discusses Australia’s role in the global refugee system
• Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, Australia’s largest independent community foundation

Our presence in the Australian media is something we value. It not only frames the collective perception of refugees in the eyes of the general public, but also lets refugees know that there are organisations such as Thrive that are committed to helping them become financially independent, as well as build successful businesses and fulfilling lives.

It is our hope that more refugees in Australia will consider the business support provided by Thrive and take their first steps towards self-employment. We will strive to continue making a positive impact on future aspiring refugee business owners, as they go on their journey in Australia. It is our vision that by helping them build successful businesses and fulfilling lives, they can also make meaningful contributions to our economy and society.

Read our inspiring refugee success stories, and find out other information about what we do at Thrive, in the section below:

Thrive announces Huy Truong as new leader

Thrive Refugee Enterprise (“Thrive”), a not for profit organisation that provides small loans and business support to refugees, today announced the appointment of Huy Truong as its Executive Director effective immediately. As Executive Director, Huy will be responsible for the management and operations of Thrive. Huy will also continue to be Thrive’s Deputy Chairman.

Thrive Chairman John Curtis said Mr Truong was an ideal person for the role because of his refugee and entrepreneurial background, his experience as a CEO, and his intimate knowledge of Thrive which he co-founded.

“The Thrive Board regarded Huy as the perfect person to lead Thrive and manage its operations through its next phase of growth,” Mr Curtis said.

“Huy is the ideal role model for Thrive. He is a successful entrepreneur of refugee background, arriving in Australia as a child on a boat from Vietnam. He is a Harvard Business School graduate, and has a diverse operating, entrepreneurial, and advisory background.”

“Huy is also personally committed to Thrive for many years to come and, most generously, is providing his services as Executive Director, as well as additional financial and administrative support from his own company to Thrive on a pro-bono basis.”

Mr Curtis thanked Thrive’s interim CEO Leigh Coleman for his valuable leadership of Thrive this year.

Thrive was successfully established in New South Wales and Victoria in 2017 to help refugees start businesses with financing and mentoring support. It has already helped refugees set up over 150 small businesses.

Media Inquiries
Jo Collins - Newgate Communications
E: Jo.Collins@newgatecomms.com.au
M: 0423 029 932

About Thrive
Thrive is a registered charity with tax deductible status. Thrive has key partnerships with Allianz, AMES (Victoria), Deloitte Consulting, Equifax, Gilbert + Tobin, Korn Ferry, KPMG, LOUD, Newgate Communications, and Westpac. Thrive believes refugees have and will continue to be a vital contributor to Australia’s economic and social growth. Its purpose is to foster this contribution for the benefit of Australia and all Australians. Thrive will support qualified refugees start and expand their own businesses through microfinance business loans and business mentoring.

01 September 2022

Refugees in business at Queen Victoria Market

magazine.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Shop for mouth-watering Turkish sweets, elegant African clothing and all-natural soaps made as they once were on an olive farm in Lebanon at Queen Victoria Market.

26 August 2022

After surviving abduction and torture, Salhe is thriving in Australia via a new venture

sbs.com.au | Sandra Fulloon

When Salhe Siraj fled Eritrea to escape forced conscription, he was seeking freedom from conflict. Instead, he was abducted by a criminal gang, held hostage and tortured for ransom. Like many refugees starting over in Australia, Salhe's tenacity is helping him overcome new challenges.

15 August 2022

Welcoming New Traders to the Market through Thrive Refugee Enterprise

qvm.com.au

Queen Victoria Market has today announced a new partnership with Thrive Refugee Enterprise to support refugees and asylum seekers open their own businesses at the market.

29 July 2022

New Pakistani teahouse lands in the Central Markets

glamadelaide.com.au | Chiara Carzo

Lahore Tea House are taking up residency in the Adelaide Central Markets, bringing market-goers a taste of a cuisine that’s marvellously rich in flavour, tradition and diversity. The Central Market, who actively aim to home talented local businesses, have dedicated their “Producer in Residence” to a passionate Pakistani family. Owner of the Lahore Tea House Muhammad Aman ullah and his family who moved to Australia just three years ago, are pursuing their food dream with the support of Thrive Refugee Association.

19 January 2020

Non-for-profit gives a financial leg up to newly arrived refugees

9NEWS

On a 30-plus degree day in Carlingford, David is mowing lawns and cleaning out gutters. It's hot and tiring work, but for David, this is heaven. He arrived in Australia from Iran as a refugee in 2012, fleeing religious persecution, jail or worse for his Christian beliefs. David was an accountant in Iran but his qualifications aren't recognised in Australia.

18 January 2020

Proud to be an Aussie: Meet the Syrian refugees working 14 hours a day mowing lawns and cleaning gutters to make a living in their new home

Daily Mail | Alana Mazzoni

Refugees from the Middle East work grueling hours to provide for their families.David Ghaterchi's qualifications as an accountant aren't recognised in Australia.Mr Ghaterchi was forced to start over and do odd garden jobs to make a living.

29 July 2019

Western innovation challenge helps refugee business owners thrive

westernsydney.edu.au | Ali Sardyga

The inaugural WSU Paddl Games held recently brought together a team of Western Sydney University students, academics and alumni, who worked with the Business team from EnergyAustralia to find an innovative solution to Parramatta-based Thrive Refugee Enterprise’s clients’ energy needs.

14 June 2019

Thrive celebrates refugee week with refugee business showcases

Mailchimp

Thrive Refugee Enterprise (“Thrive”), a not for profit organisation that provides small loans and business support to refugees, will mark Refugee Week by showcasing its success stories across two events in Melbourne and Sydney called Thriving: A Showcase of Refugee Owned Businesses.

27 March 2019

The barriers refugee entrepreneurs face in Australia

SBS

While it's easy for some in Australia to be approved for a credit card or loan, many new arrivals are met with challenges.

03 January 2019

Syrian refugee Darwich Sido opens Sido Tailor at Jesmond shopping centre

theherald.com.au | Phoebe Moloney

Darwich Sido’s new shop in Jesmond is much more than a business opportunity. It’s the mending of a seam that runs between Mr Sido’s life in Newcastle and his former life in the city of Aleppo, Syria, from which his family were forced to flee in 2012.

25 November 2018

Changing Melbourne for Good

lmcf.org.au

Thrive is a not-for-profit organisation that provides small business loans to people with asylum seeker and refugee backgrounds enabling them to start their own businesses.

05 October 2018

Iranian refugee rebuilds signage business in Australia

SBS | Sarah Dowling

Iranian refugee Jamei Mahmood has drawn on his previous career to build a new signage business, Oxin Signs in Sydney's Western Suburbs.

19 June 2018

Recognizing contributions made by refugees in Australia

SBS | MP Singh, Amy Chien-Yu Wang

Sunday the 17th to Saturday the 23rd of June is Refugee Week in Australia. This year’s theme is #WithRefugees, a call to protect the safety and rights of refugees.

31 May 2018

How private enterprise is welcoming refugees – even in a hostile climate

MAKE REFUGE | STEPH COUSINS

The political environment for refugees is pretty toxic in the United States, but the private sector is stepping up to say welcome.

22 February 2018

From restaurateurs to refugees, and back again

SBS | Sana Qadar

The Al-Janabi family ran a restaurant in Baghdad for 20 years. Now resettled in Sydney, they’re returning to their foodie roots, with catering business Baghdad Soul Food.

17 October 2017

Corporates back refugees to become entrepreneurs with the launch of Thrive

THE AGE | Nassim Khadem

But as someone who escaped one of the most brutal civil wars in history – Ozegbe arrived in Australia in June 2003 as a refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo – she feels she's earned the right to think and act big.

11 July 2017

Refugee banker’s audacious plan to cut Australia’s welfare bill

9News

An Afghani refugee has teamed with some Australian financial heavyweights for a revolutionary plan to help refugees get off welfare and into the workforce.

30 April 2017

Small Business Secrets

SBS | Hosts Ricardo Goncalves & Whitney Fitzimmons

Hosts Ricardo Goncalves & Whitney Fitzimmons shine a light on the small business owners & innovators playing a vital role in Australia's economic growth.

08 December 2016

SSI partnership Thrive Refugee Enterprise fast-tracks refugee business plans

SSI | SSI

A new SSI partnership operating nation-wide will help entrepreneurs from refugee backgrounds fast-track their business plans and achieve their goal of establishing a successful business in Australia.

30 November 2016

Partnership offers $2 million to help refugees start businesses

Inside Small Business | Staff Reporter

Years of experience have shown that refugees who are economically independent, integrate into their new country more quickly. Australia has a burgeoning service-based economy which provides abundant opportunities for self-motivated individuals to start their own business.

30 November 2016

Westpac and Thrive Partnership to Help Refugees Start Businesses

Pro Bono Australia | Lina Caneva

Banking giant Westpac and refugee microfinancing charity Thrive have joined forces in a $2 million partnership to support refugees to establish their own businesses in Australia.

29 November 2016

Westpac, Thrive $2 million partnership to help refugees start businesses

Third Sector | Gali Blacher

Westpac and Thrive, a refugee micro-financing charity, have announced a $2 million partnership to help refugees start successful businesses.

25 November 2016

Westpac and Thrive announce $2 million partnership to help refugees start successful businesses.

Westpac Group Media | Westpac Group Media

Westpac and refugee microfinancing charity, Thrive, join forces to support refugees to establish their own businesses in Australia.