Indria Naidoo

My childhood was spent as a serial immigrant. As a family we moved from South Africa to Zambia to England then Zimbabwe before finally settling in Australia in the 1970s.

Even if my family had never come here I know I would have instinctively made my way to this Great Southern Land. The red dirt, bush rock and eucalypt are imprinted in my DNA.

In 1970, the opportunities wouldn’t have seemed too rosy for a South African Indian girl outcast by her homeland. When Australia opened its arms to me, it was the greatest kindness I had ever experienced.

As a journalist and broadcaster often covering wars, displacements and upheavals, I know it is not a kindness many countries offer.

There is much I am grateful for; the courage of my parents; the camaraderie of my siblings; the love of my husband.

My greatest debt, however, is to this country and its people and the extraordinary opportunities I’ve been given.

As an immigrant you’re always being told to ‘fit-in’. Now, as an adult, I realise what all people really crave is to ‘stand-out’.

Indria Naidoo is an Australian consumer advocate, journalist and television presenter.
Indria hosted ABC TV’s viewer comments program “FEEDBACK” and has also presented SBS Television’s highly regarded national news service the “World News Tonight”. Indira’s television forays haven’t been limited to news broadcasting. During her time at the ABC, Indira became a regular guest on Roy And HG’s Club Buggery, Good News Week, The Mcfeast Show, Race Around The World And The Glass House.