I arrived in this far away strange country called Australia with one suitcase. Landed in Sydney and then immediately were separated with my father sent to work in Kandos Cement factory and my mother transported to Uranquinty to a migrant maternity facility due to her pregnant condition.

I settled in Wagga and overcame many obstacles through sheer determination, hard work and many sacrifices with little assistance from government. My parents were an example that despite being regularly ostracised and initially not welcome with our strange languages, peculiar cultures and quirky foods we were still lucky to be living in a country which gave us hope, opportunity and freedom.

Migrants soon integrated and the early struggles enhanced individual identities being thankful to be part of the contribution early migrants made to the Australian story.