How playing the piano for strangers set in motion a new life for Baher Skaik
He was there to play for strangers, as part of the ABC iview series The Piano.
What he couldn't have imagined was the life-changing experience ahead of him, thanks to the kindness of strangers and an unexpected visit from the Immigration Minister.
"The piano isn't an instrument for me. It's a form of emotional release," he told host Amanda Keller at the time, describing the devastation they fled.
"I had a good life with my family … and then when the war began, there was bombing every moment.
"It's hard to describe the feeling when you are responsible for family and you see your daughters are suffering. They are crying all the time, screaming all the night.
"We decided to leave quickly and we left our home with just our clothes."
In the ruins of his office was his much-loved piano.
"It's destroyed."
A gift from a stranger
Having made the difficult decision to leave their home in Gaza, Baher and his family travelled to Melbourne.
Here they were supported by the Australian-Palestinian-led charity, Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA), as they settled into their new life.
The ruins of Baher's private office in Gaza, where his piano was destroyed. ( Supplied )
It was through PARA that Baher learnt about The Piano, an ABC series unearthing and celebrating everyday Australians with a passion for the piano.
Baher said he nearly let the opportunity pass, as he focused on finding work and supporting his family, but ultimately his heart told him to do it.
"I don't usually play in public or to an audience [as] I'm normally quite shy," he said.
But Baher's story struck a chord with the audience.
"[One of the producers] told me that there was an anonymous donor who wanted to gift me a [new] piano. I know how expensive pianos are and it was very hard to accept that," he said.
Within a few weeks, a shiny new piano arrived at the Skaik's family home in Melbourne.
But there was an even greater surprise to come.
Baher playing the piano at his home in Gaza / Baher with his new piano, gifted by an anonymous donor.
Another unexpected surprise
Three months after the series aired, Baher received a call from the team at PARA.
They asked him to clear his calendar later that week. Minister for Immigration and Home Affairs Tony Burke was coming to visit.
"The minister said he was happy to meet me and my family, and he expressed how my story had impacted him and how he wanted to show support by coming to meet us," Baher said.
Baher played a song on the piano for the visitors before he was given news that would change his family's future.
"[Minister Burke] said 'we were so moved to see you on the show and your story was such a wonderful story to see. We are so proud of you and your family for being here in Australia'," he said.
"And he said that he [would like to] offer us permanent residency."
Baher and his family were thrilled when Minister Tony Burke, and immigration officials, delivered news of their permanent residency. ( Supplied: Tony Burke )
Like many, Baher's goal in life had always been to find stability for his family.
"[In Gaza], you would feel that no matter what you did, a time would come that would destroy everything," he said.
"People need to know that what refugees really need is an opportunity to rebuild, and not every country will allow them that."
While fear was a "constant" in Gaza, Baher said Australia offered safety and acceptance.
"I had a feeling that this was going to be a positive experience in my life being here [in Australia] and I was right," he said.
Mr Burke said the government had been making decisions on a case-by-case basis.
"For Baher to so eloquently talk about his family's plight and his love of Australia sent an important message to everybody," he said.
"His comments on … The Piano were as beautiful as they were generous and I'm glad Australia has been able to respond with the same level of kindness."
For Baher, he just wants people to know that refugees don't only come with a painful story.
Baher, his wife and their three daughters during a layover in Dubai, on their journey from Gaza to Australia. ( Supplied )
The Skaik family have made themselves at home in Melbourne where they are the first renters of a brand-new home.
"My kids are in school; my wife works and she's happy," Baher said.
"I'm also doing some graphic design freelance work with some clients and now I have a piano.
"I don't need anything else."
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