Connections Sobia & Irfan Hashmi
When Sobia Hashmi and her husband Irfan think about what connects them to South Australia, their answer is immediate: community. Over the past 20 years, this remarkable couple has transformed healthcare access across remote and rural South Australia, establishing six pharmacies in areas where none previously existed — places where people once had to travel hours for basic medications and care.
But opening pharmacies was only the beginning. Understanding that truly serving a community means speaking its language, Sobia and Irfan have built a team that collectively speaks 21 languages, ensuring that some of the state’s most vulnerable populations receive culturally sensitive healthcare close to home. Their commitment extends beyond their own practices too — they have mentored countless overseas pharmacists, coordinating multilingual education programs and running free weekly webinars that have helped 4,000 pharmacists pass their exams in the last year alone, bringing vital healthcare workers into regional Australia.
Beyond the pharmacy, Irfan’s Australian Pavilion Cricket Museum tells another story of connection — one where sport becomes a bridge between cultures. As pharmacists and cricket enthusiasts, the couple believes that sports are “more than just games; they are an integral part of our culture, history, and identity.” The museum celebrates how cricket and soccer have woven themselves into South Australia’s multicultural tapestry, preserving the legacy of these beloved sports while fostering deeper understanding across communities.
Together, Sobia and Irfan embody what it means to build connections from the ground up — one prescription, one conversation, one shared story at a time. Their work reminds us that connection is not just about being present; it is about showing up in ways that truly matter.