21/07/2025
Baher Skaik and his family had a good life in Gaza but, when the war began, he said there was bombing “every moment”.
Amid suffering, fear and chaos, Baher made the difficult decision to flee their home and travel to Melbourne.
“We left with just our clothes,” he said.
“My daughters were crying all the time, screaming through the night.
”We had no choice but to go.”
In the ruins of his office sat Baher’s much-loved piano.
But, once in Melbourne, something extraordinary happened.
He heard about the ABC iview series The Piano, and despite his nerves, played for strangers at the Preston Markets.
His family’s story struck a chord with audiences across the country, with one anonymous donor gifting Baher a brand-new piano.
”I know how expensive pianos are and it was very hard to accept that," a grateful Baher said.
Then, months later, another surprise — Immigration Minister Tony Burke and his team came to visit.
"He expressed how my story had impacted him and how he wanted to show support by coming to meet us," Baher said.
Baher played a song on the piano for the visitors before he was given news that would change his family's future.
"[Minister Burke] said, ‘We were so moved to see you on the show and your story was such a wonderful story to see. We are so proud of you and your family for being here in Australia,’" he said.
"And he said that he [would like to] offer us permanent residency."
Now safe and happy and living in a rented home in Melbourne, Baher and his wife are both working and their children are settled in school.
"I'm also doing some graphic design freelance work with some clients and now I have a piano,” he said.
"I don't need anything else."
✍️ Story by Gladys Omari
The Piano — Stream now on ABC iview: https://ab.co/ThePiano
