Leaving Cairo for Punchbowl with his family was a little scary for 10-year-old Akmal but he soon embraced life in his ‘all-white’ community and found himself fortunate enough to be living near a rubbish tip.
“We spent all of our weekends and school holidays rummaging around in that tip looking for treasures and one day, I remember finding a box of ball bearings and it felt like heaven,” he says.
“If we weren’t at the tip, my siblings and I would spend all day at Bankstown or Roselands pool, coming back in the evening burnt to a crisp with red-rimmed eyes, such fun.”
Akmal says a big part of growing up in the area was also attending Bankstown Boys High School, now Bankstown Senior College, but he learnt more outside of the classroom than in.
“I was bad at everything, still am and had no idea what to do after high school,” he said.
“I started driving cabs which was great and then at age 23, got paid $120 for a 15-minute comedy gig; I couldn’t believe it, I would have to work more than 12 hours in the cab to make that and what’s more, I loved it.”
Akmal says that unlike his siblings, he decided not to have children – just dogs.
“I’m so absent-minded I’m sure I would lose a child but if you lose a dog, there’s no police investigation or circling helicopters,” he laughed.
“I’m looking forward to coming home to Bankstown and the club is a beautiful venue which I’ve always enjoyed but please, no kids, real estate agents or refunds.”
Catch Akmal at the club on Friday, October 28, with doors open at 7.15pm. Tickets: $45, bankstownsports.com.
The Canterbury Bankstown Torch has two double passes to giveaway to the show.
For a chance to wins, go to localnewsplus.com.au/competitions.
