'Dream big': Samaras owner returns to his school with a message for Year 12s

Amid the excitement of Year 12 graduation ceremonies, the stress of exams and the thrill of the formal, a touch of anxiety may creep in. This is entirely normal. And for every young person writing their HSC exams this month, Samaras owner Omar Nemer has a reassuring message: there is no "perfect path".

The restaurateur return to returned to his old school, Illawarra Sports High, as guest speaker at last month's graduation ceremony for the class of 2026. Omar shared the story of his own career journey, from leaving high school to studying at university to his current role as owner and director of three branches of the successful family business: Samaras Restaurant Woonona, Samaras Food Truck and Samaras Express Unanderra.

Omar spoke about failure and resilience, freedom and responsibility, thanking the teachers "who give so much" and reassuring students unsure about their future.

"Life isn't about having everything figured out," he said. "It's about moving forward, learning, growing and discovering who you are along the way."

Omar urged students to work hard. "Take care of what matters. But don't forget to live. Don't forget to enjoy the journey you're on."

Thanks to Omar for sharing this extract from his speech:

My path

There is no single definition of the perfect path.

I'd like to share my path with you to show you just that.

In 2008, we opened Samaras.

At the time, I was studying and sitting my HSC at this very school.

I had amazing teachers and a beautiful basketball sporting program that I was part of.

We placed fith in Australia at nationals and lost to the team that eventually won it by just one point in the opening round.

Still quite an achievement nonetheless.

I wasn't a big part of opening the restaurant because of my exams.

But as soon as I sat them, I was in the deep end helping run and build the business.

Honestly, we had no idea how to run a business.

But my father knew how to make good food, and we had the Lebanese hospitality in us.

I then jumped straight into university, studying engineering because I loved physics, maths and chemistry — thanks to Mr Prior, Mr Balange, Ms Thomas and the late Mr Thompson, may he rest in peace.

After one year, I decided engineering wasn't for me.

So I switched to a finance and economics double major.

For those five years, I never stopped working at the family restaurant.

I never stopped playing competitive sport, playing high-level basketball, and even won a couple of premierships with the UOW AFL team.

And I never stopped enjoying myself with my friends and family.

I travelled to South America, Canada and Lebanon between semesters, and those became some of the best moments of my life.

In 2013, I graduated from university.

Our restaurant manager moved on, so I decided to run the restaurant again.

Then, the following year, I had my own restaurant.

That same year, I proposed to the love of my life, Leyla.

It was quite the life-changing year.

Today, we have five kids and a beautiful life full of love and happiness.

To be honest, when I'm with our little ones at home, I become a big kid myself. So thanks for putting up with me being the sixth kid, babe. Love you.

But on a serious note, you should never lose your inner kid.

It should always live within you.

I love being the big kid when it's time for some fun.

Saying yes

In my first year of operations, I got a phone call to do a small community event in Unanderra.

I'd never done anything mobile before.

But I said, "Yes, sure, I'll make it happen."

I borrowed the BBQ, tables, marquee — literally everything I needed. I stuffed it all into my car and went and had a successful day of trading.

That small opportunity opened another door.

I started attending local markets and events.

Then I attended my first large event at Taronga Zoo for an Eid festival.

There I met event operators who loved my food and wanted me at large music festivals.

So I purchased a food truck and started attending large-scale music festivals across the state and country.

We catered weddings and birthdays, and the sky was the limit.

But the food truck became more than just a business.

I used it to give back to my community.

I fed RFS volunteers during the 2020 fires. I fed nurses during COVID while they were working double shifts at hospitals. I gave away toys to kids during school holidays and lockdown.

I was always looking for ways to give back.

And that filled my heart with so much joy, purpose and a sense of unity.

More recently, I opened Samaras Express in Unanderra and purchased another food truck.

And none of this was a perfectly planned journey.

It was one opportunity leading to another.

One "yes" leading to another.

That's why I'm sharing my journey with you.

Because there will be opportunities you can't see yet.

There will be challenges. There will be failures. And there will be successes that make you incredibly proud.

Embrace all of it. Because that's life.

Your next chapter

So, to the graduating class of 2026:

Be brave. Be disciplined. Be resilient.

Chase what matters to you.

Travel far and wide. Dream big. Look after the people around you.

Never be afraid to say yes — because one "yes" can change the direction of your life.

Love deeply.

Never be afraid to change, grow and become something greater than you imagined.

Enjoy the journey.

And I hope you keep writing beautiful memories into your books of love, laughter and purpose for the rest of your lives.

Congratulations, Class of 2026.