Meet Melton local Faryal Rizwan, who will soon embark on an educational trip to Malaysia as she explores the way Islamic values shape education and community. Faryal is studying a bachelor of Islamic studies at the Charles Sturt Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation and is one of three Charles Sturt University students to receive a New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship. She spoke with Jack O’Shea-Ayres.
What’s your connection to Melton?
I’ve lived in Melton for over 10 years and have loved watching it grow. It’s become increasingly diverse and multicultural, with great parks and strong potential for the future.
What would you change about where you live?
I’d love to see more regular community events, local markets, creative forums, and more local cafés and brunch spots, places where residents can connect, exchange ideas, and collaborate across cultures. There’s already great momentum, and expanding these spaces would strengthen social cohesion and local pride.
Where is your favourite local place to spend time?
I love going for walks, especially around the lake at Navan Park and the Melton Botanic Garden. And as a student, the local library is definitely a favourite. It’s spacious, calm, and the perfect place to catch up on some study.
What inspired you to pursue a bachelor of Islamic Studies, and what does studying abroad mean to you?
My interest in Islamic studies comes from a desire to better understand how faith and ethics inform daily life, learning and character – I wanted to be empowered in my understanding of Islam, particularly in a world where the faith is often misunderstood. Studying in Malaysia, a country that demonstrates how Islam can flourish within a modern, multicultural society, will give me valuable insights I can bring back to Australia. Through the scholarship, I hope to contribute to community education, interfaith dialogue, and initiatives that promote understanding, harmony, coexistence, and shared values at a local level. As a student of Islamic Studies at Charles Sturt University, this opportunity allows me to take my learning beyond theory and into real, lived experience. I’m excited to learn in this environment and to engage with perspectives that will stretch how I think about education and community.
What is one thing people might be surprised to know about you?
At 18, straight out of high school, I travelled solo to northern Pakistan near the Himalayas and fell into an icy lake while hiking, an early crash course in resilience and adaptability. Luckily, it didn’t put me off international adventures!
