Ibrahim ‘Ibby’ Khodary is the smiling face on the other side of the counter at his family’s flagship pharmacy on Horton Street. Ben Cooper reports, Ibby is much more than a dispenser in a white coat - he’s a devoted family man, tragic sports fan and wise-cracking wit who isn’t afraid to earn the ire of his wife with some of his stories.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
WHAT do you look forward to most when you get up each morning?
Seeing my daughters, Sophia who is 2.5 years old and Laila who is 7 months old, before I go to work.
What is it like being the only male in the house? Do the girls try to boss you around?
I get a bit lonely – only joking! It’s good because I get all the attention! They do boss me around, but I like it because it means I don’t have to make any decisions.
When you were growing up in Sydney what kind of antics did you get up to?
Basically playing soccer and riding my bike outside of school times, as we weren’t allowed to do much else.
You studied to be a pharmacist at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga. How was it living in a regional centre after growing up in Sydney?
It was a bit different, seeing horses and kangaroos for the first time. I’m used to the country lifestyle now – I’d say Sydney has seen the last of me.
How did you go about wooing Lina, your wife who is also a pharmacist, while at CSU?
Okay, let’s set the record straight – she was the one doing all the wooing! Sorry hun, had to get the truth out there.
Now you’re living in another regional centre with a CSU campus, will we see you as part of the teaching staff in the future?
You never know, I enjoy getting up and going to work.
Having the campus here is very exciting for the town and I’d like to be involved in some capacity.
What is your favourite part of living in the Hastings Valley?
The people! When I do occasionally go to Sydney to visit family and friends, the one thing I notice immediately, is that they have forgotten how to smile.
How would you describe your support of Wests Tigers? Are you a fanatic?
Do you mean the West Kittens?? I’m a pretty loyal fan, but it has been hard to stick by them this year – but as the saying goes ‘there’s always next year.’
What does your faith mean to you?
It’s a part of my daily life. I use it to keep myself accountable through my daily activities, whether it be with my family, work or social life.
How was your experience of Ramadan recently?
It was okay. The early days were the toughest, but it got better as the month rolled on.
Was there anything in particular you missed during Ramadan, perhaps something you immediately sought after breaking the fast? That’s easy – coffee! I might have a slight caffeine problem.
What makes the perfect weekend?
Saturday – winning in our weekly hit out playing soccer and then Tigers winning. Sunday - family breakfast and taking the girls to a park, followed by a Sunday roast chicken.
And finally, but perhaps most importantly, who is your favourite super hero and why?
Wolverine from X-Men, probably because he is always so misunderstood.
