Tanyus Hage was orphaned at 6 years of age during the First World War. The odds were against him, but not only did he survive all the handicaps and potential fatal hazards, he rose to achieve things that most educated people failed to do. He never saw the inside of a classroom, but the world around him was his school.

From the dangerous backdrop of the War in Lebanon, to the unknown African environment of the 1930s, he finally ended up in Australia. Tanyus went through all those changes.

Despite the lack of education, and the many years in Africa, he survived by his ability to learn from his environment. He saw opportunity where others did not. He survived two world wars, and took advantage of situations. He went from strength to strength. However, one political circumstance made him leave Africa. That was when he migrated to Australia.

Despite it all, he was very happy to be in Australia, and in particular to see his young family settled and moving on to establishing their individual pathways.

Tanyus Hage's story is one of triumph over adversity, laced with pride and love, and will inspire all who feel like they do not have it in them to make it through whatever challenge they face, that they in fact do.