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Syrian, Iraqi refugees dive into first Queensland summer with beach swim
Refugees who fled war-torn Syria and Iraq have been given a taste of a classic summer tradition, with their first swim at an Australian beach.
More than 100 of Queensland's newest residents dove headfirst into the surf adventure at Caloundra, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
Refugee agency MDA brought the group to the beach, including 13-year-old Patil Stepan who arrived in the state two months ago and had never before felt the ocean.
She laughed and squealed as she ran into the waves for the first time.
"It is very beautiful and I am very happy," she said.
"I love my new home in Australia."
Syrian refugee Joseph Ghazal fled his home town of Aleppo with his sons and wife, after his home was destroyed.
"We lost everything during five years from the war," he said.
"And we left everything because of the death around us, everything is bad."
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