After making headlines at 15, Mohamed Semra is now making history
Mohamed Semra, the mayor of Maribyrnong, is breaking barriers as the first person from sub-Saharan Africa to hold this position in Australia. Despite facing online abuse and racism, he remains committed to serving his diverse community. His journey from a young boy in Sudan to a local leader exemplifies resilience and dedication.
- ▪Mohamed Semra became the mayor of Maribyrnong last year.
- ▪He is the first person from sub-Saharan Africa to be elected mayor in Australia.
- ▪Mohamed has faced online abuse but is determined to represent his community.
- ▪His family fled Sudan due to political unrest, and he has lived in Australia for 20 years.
- ▪He aims to make his community more comfortable with diversity in leadership.
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History-making mayor of Maribyrnong, Mohamed Semra, is only getting startedBy Leisa Scott and Amos RobertsAustralian StoryTopic:Human InterestSun 31 May 2026 at 6:06amSun 31 May 2026 at 6:06amSun 31 May 2026 at 6:06amabc.net.au/news/history-making-mayor-of-maribyrnong-mohamed-semra/106674090Link copiedShareShare articleSometimes, when the online abuse for being a young, African-born, Muslim mayor gets brutal, Mohamed Semra turns to the lesson he learnt on the back of a donkey in Sudan.He was just 10, a city kid from Melbourne on his first trip back to the country his mother fled with her six children when Mohamed was three.His family needed water, so his uncle propped up Mohamed on a donkey loaded with barrels and sent him off, alone, to the well about two hours away.He gave Mohamed this…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at ABC News (Australia).