UQ student nursing a better future for others

The Nezhad family has thrived since arriving in Australia. Image: Supplied. Amir Douraghi Nezhad was just seven-years-old when he and his family climbed aboard a small fishing boat in Indonesia to make the risky journey to Australia. The now 18-year-old University of Queensland Bachelor of Nursing student said his parents were seeking refuge after fleeing their native Iran. "Political and religious freedoms were under threat and living conditions had deteriorated," Amir said. Amir, his parents and younger brother spent two weeks at sea on the fishing boat with around 40 other people, living on water and dried noodles, until one night the vessel sank. "We were rescued and taken first to Christmas Island, and later the Darwin Detention Centre," Amir said.