Darius’s life has been defined by hard work, determination, and an unwavering commitment to his family. Born in Iraq, he knew from a young age that he wanted to work with machines. “At 12 or 13, I decided I wanted to be a mechanic or a driver,” he recalls.
His uncle helped him secure a job at a British Air Force base in Habbaniya, where he worked with vehicle parts and learned to build engines. By 1942, during World War II, his expertise and work ethic saw him supervising road construction for the army, overseeing machines that built roads for military use.
Seeking better opportunities, Darius moved to Kuwait, where he worked as a Garage Manager for Toyota. Although life was good, he wanted more for his family. In 1970, he made the decision to emigrate to Australia, wanting to build on his career and a better future for his family.
Skilled in English from his time with the British Army, Darius had little trouble getting approval. "The man at the British embassy told me, 'You are the man to go to Australia,'" Darius recalls. Along with his wife Julia and their daughter, they arrived in Australia in December of that year.
Darius wasted no time finding work. He took a job as a foreman at Toyota but soon realised the pay wasn’t enough to bring the rest of his family over. Determined, he took a higher-paying job at CSR, working shifts to earn more money. Gradually, he brought his two sons and their families to Australia, and they all settled in Fairfield Heights.
Family has always been at the heart of Darius’s life. He describes meeting his wife as a love story. "I was 20, and she was 16. I saw her in the street, and the first thing I noticed was her figure. I fell in love before I even saw her face!" When Julia turned around, Darius was captivated by her beauty. They married in 1940 and had three children.
At 100 years young, Darius reflects on a life well-lived, with pride in his family and their accomplishments. "I’ve been an honest man, worked hard and looked after my family’s future," Darius said proudly. His advice is simple: “Work hard, don’t be a bludger, and always put family first.”
