Abida Elahi’s journey to Swan Hill was paved with bumps and twists that she never could have anticipated.
Born in Pakistan with seven siblings, her mother was a teacher and her father served in the air force.
As the second eldest child, she remembers her mother being strict about education.
“Her best ever gift to us was a good education,” Abida said.
She recalls a beautiful childhood surrounded by good schools and facilities.
As was traditional, her parents arranged her marriage — Abida was introduced to her future husband just a month before her wedding.
Mrs Elahi’s husband is local doctor and anaesthetist Manzoor Elahi.
“I remember I was impressed by him,” she recalled.
To read more about this story, grab a copy of today’s Guardian (September 12).
