Aidan Curtis
THERE are many challenges that come with moving to a regional town, but for migrants and refugees looking for a new home in Australia, it provides numerous opportunities as well.
High school student Hsi Hsi Poe, along with his brother and sister, moved to Mount Gambier five years ago after living in a refugee camp in Thailand.
Mr Poe said he did not know any English when he first moved to Australia, which initially made it difficult to connect with people.
“It was hard for me to communicate with other people – I’m a bit shy, so when I first came to Australia I didn’t talk much,” he said.
“At school, we had a special class that only taught new arrival kids – there were a few people in the class that I knew, I made friends with them, then I started talking to them in English.
“But I still didn’t have enough confidence to talk to Australian kids – I think that changed when I moved to mainstream.”
There were a lot of differences to adjust to, including just how much Australian kids used swear words in everyday conversation, but Mr Poe said playing soccer helped him get to know his peers.
“I got to make friends with other Australian kids, and they were nice – different from in class where they were a bit naughty,” he said.
Despite all the challenges, Mr Poe said he really appreciates everything Australia has to offer and the life he can build for himself here.
“It is way better than back then, way better and more freedom,” he said.
“I want to thank Australia for giving us the chance to come here, to get a normal life, a free life and a better life.”
The Mount Gambier Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) has been following Mr Poe’s journey, along with the lives of many other people who come from afar settle in the region.
MRC community service officer Denise Mercader said people face a lot of challenges in coming here, but the migrant community is very welcoming and supportive of new arrivals.
“The community helps because they’ve been in the shoes of being new and fill in for when there’s things we might not necessarily be aware of,” Ms Mercader said.
“Where to buy cultural food, possibly linking them up to the different sports that they’re associated with, linking them to churches.”
Ms Mercader said citizenship is often a significant milestone for people and families coming to the region, and it is a “very proud day” for those that attain it.
“Many of these clients have been forced out of their countries, so for them to have Australian citizenship is a big deal,” she said.
“It’s a sense of belonging for them, they can’t be forced out and they’re here to stay.
“Some of these people are stateless, don’t have homes, so it helps with their belonging and their identity.”
She also said it is a very proud moment for MRC staff to see people get their citizenship certificate.
“We receive the clients when they first arrive and for the majority of them, they’re scared, overwhelmed, totally new,” she said.
“Then just like that, they’re independent, working, driving, studying, kicking goals and becoming citizens.”
