For Mansour, the act was not a gesture of charity but one of giving back.

“I understand what it’s like to have nothing, to be forced to leave everything behind,” he reflected.

This month, as fires blazed through Victoria—scorching over 400,000 hectares, reducing hundreds of buildings to ash, and claiming the life of a cattle farmer—those memories influenced his actions.

As fierce winds fanned the flames, Mansour took to social media with a straightforward offer: his bakery was open to those in need of refuge.

“Free food. Free drinks. Phone charging. A cool place to ride it out,” his post read.

Mansour also intended for this gesture to convey a larger message, especially in a climate where discussions about migration often turn divisive.

‘Someone out there cares’

Mansour said the initiative also carried a broader message at a time when public debate around migration is often polarised.