Zia Haydari

Zia’s credos; “Faith power works wonders” and “I will not be defeated”

We write the story of our one of a kind Zia, so people will continue to hear his story and share in the knowledge of his bravery.

Zia was incredibly humble; for those who were blessed to know him, including his support crew, knew Zia to be a; stoic, generous spirit, humorous, incredibly loyal, deep thinker and a true humanitarian.

Our beloved Zia fought with hope until the very end of his battle with a Stage IV Glioblastoma. He passed on May 5th 2024 surrounded with love and support.

Zia’s credo through all the challenges he faced, was “I will not be defeated”, and this is the approach he took to his diagnosis. From his initial diagnosis at Wagga Base Hospital through to his final days, he always maintained his hope.

When invited to share his thoughts on peace for a Refugee Week service a few years ago, Zia shared the following; “I believe peace is a state which requires mutual respect, understanding, social justice, deep love towards one another, and a commitment to create a safe and sustainable environment in which to live”. A quote shared after his passing by his dear friends and confidants Joan and Peter Saboisky.

To be understood, seen and heard by the doctor that delivers the hardest news of your life is incredibly profound. This is what Zia and Dr Josephs had.

When Dr Josephs had to deliver the hardest of hard news to Zia that he a limited time left and no further treatment could be given. Zia took this news with grace and solace; because it was coming from a trusted source.

Who is Zia?

Zia grew in up in Afghanistan with his adoring family, in the Turkman valley of the Parwan Province. Surrounded by beautiful apricot trees and the hills of the valley; fondly remembering the beauty of the snow covered mountains and the smell of the trees.

Zia was the only boy and eldest child of the Haydari family. Born to his adoring parents Nadir and Fatima. He was the treasured brother to his; younger sisters Maryam and Zahra. He was a member of the ethnic minority community in Afghanistan the Hazaragi community. Who faced ongoing and unimaginable mistreatment and prejudice from tribal warlords and the Taliban. Zia was always very proud of his heritage, his families story and a proud Hazara man.

At the age of 15 in 2012 he and his family were forced to make the impossible decision for him to flee Afghanistan to save his life that was threatened. He made the treacherous journey to Australia, in unimaginable fear and circumstances. He arrived by boat to Australia in 2013 where he was forced through the immigration processes even as an unaccompanied minor. Being subjected to immigration detention. He continued to show throughout this his immense resilience and strength of character.

After his release from an immigration detention centre, he was placed in 'Community Detention' which involved living in a government paid and furnished house and receiving some income support. Moving into community detention in Melbourne Zia began to find his way and new life in Australia. He was supported by various community organisations and found beautiful connections, with people such as Rom who he lived with and formed an lasting friendship with.

He was enrolled in the Salesian College in Chadstone and given great support by the school, where he thrived. On turning 18, his housing and income support ceased. This was early in Year 12. At that stage, BASP (Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project) was able to house him with a local man Rom Brady. Rom and Zia had a great friendship. Zia graduated Year 12 at Salesian College Chadstone as part of the Class of 2015. The college posted its reaction to Zia’s passing; “Zia was a remarkable person. As a young Shi’ite Muslim boy, Zia escaped his motherland, miraculously making his way to Australia”.

After graduating Year 12 at the College he was supported to secure him a scholarship at ACU, where Zia completed a number of certificates. In 2019 he applied and was accepted to study a Bachelor of Social Work at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga. Due to his continuing residency issues this study was made financially possible after he secured the CSU Asylum Seeker Scholarship. He stayed on campus at St Francis College for the entirety of his studies. During his studies he made great connections and impacted the lives of those he supported during these placements.

Zia would speak often of his beloved homeland of Afghanistan and the mountains of the Parwan province where he was born and raised. This formed the foundation of why he felt so strongly that he was called to study Social Work. A quote from his father Nadir, “Earn your bread by the tip of your pen not by the force of your shoulder”. Speaking to the enduring impact Social Workers can have on those they work with, evident in his work during his placements.

In May 2022 he completed his first Social Work Placement of 500 hours at the Wagga City Library, focusing on holding resource fairs delivered by community organisations for newly arrived refugees.

From September 2022 to December 2022 he completed his second placement of 500 hours at Red Cross Wagga, in the Humanitarian Settlement Program. It was here he found his support crew, building friendships that sustained after the placement ended.

After many many years of visa insecurity and immigration battles Zia was granted his Australian Permanent Residency Granted June 8th 2023. Giving him access to basic necessities that he went without until then, including Medicare.

Devastatingly on 16th August 2023 after increasingly debilitating headaches and multiple visits to ED Zia was diagnosed with a Grade IV Glioblastoma. The worst of the worst cancers.

His first tumor resection was undertaken shortly after this at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney. He then returned to Wagga where his final diagnosis and tumor grade was given by Dr Jospehs on

August 30th 2023 in Wagga. This is where the connection was formed and Zia felt safe and cared for by Dr Joseph’s and his team.

Throughout his post diagnosis journey Zia was supported by his steadfast support crew who stepped alongside him as he navigated his uncertain future. From walks along Wagga Beach, to coffee catch ups, day trips out of town and lunch time catch ups at his favourite Chinese restaurant Saigon. Zia was an incredibly proud and innately resilient person, his support crew followed his lead on this and sought to enjoy each moment and the little things in life alongside him.

Zia graduated in September 2023, attending his graduation ceremony, 2 weeks post tumor removal surgery. His CSU Social Work Graduation Ceremony Sydney occurred on September 13th 2023. Where he was able to celebrate his incredible achievement, despite his surgery recovery.

After his tumor resection surgery and further consultations with his medica team Zia underwent a 6 week daily radiation cycle.

Inspired by conversations with his support crew during initial time in hospital in August 2022. The crew planned with Zia a trip to Jindabyne to tick off a dream of his, to climb Mt Kosciuszko. On the weekend of 3rd December 2023 , within weeks of finishing his radiation cycle, Zia and some of the crew climbed Mt Kosciuszko.

After follow up scans in February which showed some re-growth of tumor Zia made the decision to undergo a further resection surgery. He returned to Wagga after second tumour resection March 15th, 2024.

His condition steadily deteriorated unfortunately following this surgery and in late April he was admitted to Wagga Base Hospital following numerous seizures. He made one final trip to St Vincents, although surgical intervention was decided not be an option. He was transitioned into palliation. Upon his return to Wagga on May 2nd, he remained in hospital. He still maintained his steadfast hope, listing questions mid-morning of May 3rd about next treatment options.

The decision was made with Zia for his transfer to the Calvary Palliative Care Unit at Calvary Hospital Wagga, he transferred there midday on May 4th. He passed at 8.15am on May 5th 2024 surrounded with love and support.

Zia and Joan discussed the planting of Zia’s pick of a mulberry tree, a favourite from Afghanistan, in the hospital on Friday 3rd May. The mulberry tree was planted at the Saboisky’s property after Zia’s Shia burial on Friday 10th with all his support crew in attendance.

Zia’s credos; “Faith power works wonders” and “I will not be defeated”