One of his first acts of assistance was when Lebanese-born Khalil, 72, heard of the hundreds of people taking refuge on the streets of Cyprus after fleeing from the Lebanese Civil War in 1975.
“I lobbied the Fraser Government to intervene and offer my former countrymen a new home which they did within a few days,” he said. “It was wonderful.
“My life of service grew from there; I was always taught to help others and am a very proud Australian. This is the best country in the world.”
Father of Paul, Mario and Marcel and husband to ‘beautiful wife’ Maria, Khalil’s achievements include Australian Sebhel Lebanese Charity Association president, 1989, 2011-2014; founding member since 1978, Maronite Catholic Society of Australia member since 1987 and vice-president, 1993; Australian Lebanese Association of NSW member since 1975; Australian Lebanese Cultural Union member, 1975-2005; Liberal Party of Australia member since 1977 and State Council member; and Liberal Party president, Croydon branch, 2000-2016.
Khalil also challenged for the seat of Grayndler in 1987 needing a swing of 12 per cent but achieved a remarkable 10 per cent swing and for the seat of Lakemba in 1991 where he lost because of informal voting, narrowly missing out on both seats in which with wins, he would have made history.
Proud Aussie helping Lebanese community since ’73
HELPING people since 1973, Greenacre resident Khalil Tartak says he still ‘got the shock of his life’ upon hearing last week that he had won a Medal of the Order of Australia Award (OAM) for services to the Lebanese community of NSW.
