LeagueNews.co | Nick Loken
George Peponis and Hazem El Masri are celebrated as not only great Bulldogs players but also as examples of immigrant success stories.
Both players came from Tripoli, Lebanon, but Peponis hailed from the heart of Greece's mainland, while El Masri was from the north of Lebanon.
They both landed in the Canterbury-Bankstown district, a cultural melting pot, and they arrived with nothing but worked hard to thrive in a foreign land.
Peponis arrived in 1954, just after World War II, and he recounted the struggles his mother faced to ensure their survival.
Peponis and El Masri are regarded as multicultural trailblazers.
Peponis' daughter, Sophia, highlighted the impact of her father's immigrant background on his life, saying, "He's never forgotten where he came from but always managed to use his own experiences of hardship to encourage others to persevere." El Masri's former teammate, Hazem El Masri, echoed these sentiments, saying, "There are so many people in society who always look to play the victim card or feel they're being discriminated against.
Haz reminds everyone to be proud of their cultural heritage but to play fair and make something of themselves in this country."
Both Peponis and El Masri have left a lasting legacy beyond their careers on the rugby field.
They have paved the way for future generations of immigrant athletes and shown that with hard work and determination, success is possible.
As Peponis reflected on his journey, he stated, "We soon learnt that if we were going to forge the way in the new country, we had to adapt and embrace the very culture that would oftentimes evade us."
These two men have not only excelled in their sporting careers but have also become role models for immigrants and multicultural communities across Australia.
Their stories serve as a reminder of the resilience and determination that can lead to success, no matter the obstacles faced.