An Immigrant’s perspective

I immigrated to Australia 34 years ago. I moved with my Australian husband and three daughters aged 16, 13 and 4.

We arrived just before school closed for the year and needed to buy a home as soon as possible so that we could apply for the girls to attend school the following year.

It was a very lonely time for the girls and I. We lost my mother to cancer before we left Namibia. My husband and I had been working for DeBeer’s Diamond mine in Oranjemund for the past 4 years. Anyone who has lived in a remote small community will understand how amazing friendships are formed in a short period of time. We belonged to the various sports clubs and were fortunate to live very social lives with multiple choices available to us.

On arriving in Australia, I cannot ever remember feeling so isolated and friendless in my life. I put on a brave face for my girls because I knew they were missing their friends and all the amazing facilities we had for free in ‘the old country’.  Once the girls began school again they were able to make a few friends and begin playing sport again.

Coincidentally the house we bought was next door to a couple who had been at school with my husband. I do not know how I would have managed if it had not been for Lyn and Wayne Allen.

 I have spoken English all my life and so was absolutely astonished to discover that Tasmanians couldn’t understand me because of the many African idioms I used when I spoke. Lyn and I came to an agreement that she would interrupt me whenever I said something she didn’t understand. Prior to that she used to just smile sweetly and nod!
After about three months of doing this, one day she grabbed my arm and said ‘WOW we have been speaking for an hour and I didn’t have to interrupt you once!’ 

People who do not speak English at all must struggle so much when they arrive.

I had been living in Tasmania for just under a year when one day I was walking in the city with Lyn and she had to go into Centrelink to update some details with them. I had never heard of Centrelink before. Ten months of living here and I didn’t know Centrelink!

A reminder that I had lived in central and southern Africa all my life. The only thing I understood about assistance is that if you do not work is that, provided to contribute to an unemployment fund, you will get 45% of your last pay for six months if you lose your job. After that – no assistance was available that I knew of.

Imagine my delight had discovering that we were entitled to Child Support, and, because I had applied in the current financial year I received a payment backdated to the start of the financial year. 

Centerlink

Most Australians know about the range of support and services offered by Centrelink. However, as a new immigrant, I had no idea of the vast range of services available.

Services & support offered include:

Payments and Allowances:

• Age Pension: Retirement income support.
• Disability Support Pension: Support for people with a disability.
• Family Tax Benefit: Assistance with the cost of raising children.
• Parental Leave Pay: Support to care for a newborn or adopted child.
• JobSeeker Payment: Support for unemployed people.
• Youth Allowance: Financial assistance for young people.
• Austudy: Support for full-time students.
• Carer Payment and Allowance: Support for those caring for a person with a disability.
• Parenting Payment: Support for parents who are not working.
• Special Benefits: Support for individuals in specific circumstances.
• Child Care Subsidy: Assistance with child care costs.
• Stillborn Baby Payment: Financial assistance for parents who have lost a baby.
• Single Income Family Supplement: Additional support for single-income families.
• Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment: Financial assistance for those needing to self-isolate or quarantine.
• Carer Adjustment Payment: One-off payment for families in exceptional circumstances.
• Economic Support Payment: One-off payments made during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Energy Supplement: Additional payment to help with energy costs.
• Pension Supplement: Additional payment for pensioners.
• Pharmaceutical Allowance: Assistance with prescription costs.
• Remote Area Allowance: Additional support for those living in remote areas.
• Rent Assistance: Support with rent costs.
• Telephone Allowance: Assistance with telephone costs.
• Utilities Allowance: Assistance with utility costs. 

Services:

• MyGov: Online platform for managing Centrelink accounts.
• Job Search Assistance: Help finding employment.
• Digital Coaching: Support with using technology.
• Appointments: Opportunities to book appointments at Centrelink offices.

So much assistance is available in Australia – we really do live in an amazing country.

Over the years I have discovered many wonderful things that are available to people in need. Much of the support available is not well known and discovered, usually long after your need it.

The purpose of this blog is to share some of the really great support I have come across over the years in the hope that it may help someone in need.

Child and Family Learning Centres (cflsc) TASMANIA

Tasmania’s Child and Family Learning Centres (CFLCs) partner with families and communities to improve the health, wellbeing and learning of children from pregnancy to five years.

Recently I took my four year old granddaughter, Izzy, to the Nest Child and Family Learning Centre in Sorrel. I was absolutely blown away by the centre. From the staff who were so caring and attentive, to the facilities available it was remarkable. However, the thing I enjoyed the most was the inclusivity I discovered when exploring with Izzy. Information on different language sheets and how wonderful it was to see families from different ethnic groups all chatting and helping each other. Wow, that would have really helped me when I first arrived in Australia. In particular I really enjoyed chatting to the other grandparents who were visiting the centre with their grandkids. Social interaction is so very important for all ages.

At a CFLC, families can:

• enjoy playing together
• explore indoor and outdoor play spaces
• participate in a range of activities
• meet and connect with other families
• access a range of services and supports

CFLCs are places for play! All types of play – free play, structured play, indoor and outdoor play. Play helps children learn and grow.

Programs and services

CFLCs offer activities, programs and services for children and families in their local community.

Programs and activities may include:

• gross-motor skills development activities
• nature play
• playgroups
• First Nations playgroups
• sensory play
• singing and story time
• pregnancy and new parent groups
• parenting programs

Services may include:

• Child Health and Parenting Service (CHaPS)
• paediatric clinics
• psychologists
• social workers
• speech and language pathologists
• legal advice

CFLCs can support your child’s school readiness and transition to school, connecting your family with your local school.

Be aware that:

CFLCs are not:

• early education and care services (daycare / childcare)
• play centres
• public spaces available for everyone to access

 I think this is what makes them so special – they are safe places where both the child and adult’s needs are met.

Support for Carers

Many people end up caring for someone they love in their life. Usually it is an unplanned event that is fairly easy in the beginning but then escalates over time. things usually build up slowly until they begin to overwhelm you. I have been thrust into the carer role on multiple occasions. I cared for my first husband after he had a brain tumour and my last partner who had advanced melanoma. The last few years I have been caring for my 93 year old mother-in-law. 

One of the common things I have found is how draining it can be to care for someone you love, no matter what their circumstances are. The common denominator is that you tend to lose your real self. No matter how strong you are, how positive a person you are, it is a bit like water dripping on a rock, it wears you down over time.

Cherie Gardener, a friend of mine was studying age and disability care and we got chatting over a glass of wine one evening. I was so interested to discover the support that was available to people. The one thing we realised is that there was not much support for carers. So we began a carers support group in George Town, where we both live.

We called our group Crazy Ducks Almost in a Row. Within a very short time we had regular members. Initially we tried meeting in a local cafe but found it difficult to hear one another and to share emotional things. So we decided to meet at my home. Initially this was very successful. We would meet every second week over a coffee for a few hours. I was amazed at the stories shared by everyone. There were often emotional disclosures and the support our members gave each other was incredible. People walked out of our meeting a few inches taller and smiling. 

We eventually go too big to meet around my dining room table, also, because my mother-in-law was often in the same room, it was difficult for me to ‘offload’ my angst.
I asked the local library if I could arrange to hold the meetings there. Yes, with pleasure but there was a charge by the hour for the use of the room and one had to have insurance.
That was out of the question so I approached the local Neighbourhood House. So simple, free to use one of their meeting rooms and we didn’t have to be insured because I could become a volunteer and therefore covered by their insurance.

After a few months one of our meetings coincided with a visit by Shreya who worked for Care2Serve. Once she discovered our support group, we were exposed to the most amazing assistance for carers and Shreya now regularly arranges great relevant speakers to visit the group.

Care2serve – Tasmania’s carer gateway

What is Carer Gateway?

Carer Gateway is an Australian Government program providing free support and services to family and friend carers. Care2Serve, the service arm of Carers Tasmania, is the Tasmanian provider of the Carer Gateway program and connects Tasmanian carers to free support and services available through Carer Gateway. https://care2serve.com.au

Who is a Carer?

A carer is someone who provides unpaid care or emotional support to a family member or friend with disability, mental ill health, chronic or life-limiting condition, alcohol or other drug dependence or who is frail or aged. Carers come from all walks of life, cultural backgrounds, age groups, genders and many different family situations. 

Amazing statistics here –

Did you know 1 in 6 Tasmanians is a carer 

Chances are you are a carer, need a carer, or know someone who is carer. 
This is the link to their web page and more information. Don’t forget it is FREE.

I wrote a blog about caring  for someone with an acquired brain injury a few years ago. You may find something in it to assist with your caring situation. Click her for link to that blog.

Chances are you are a carer, need a carer, or know someone who is carer. 
This is the link to their web page and more information. Don’t forget it is FREE.

I wrote a blog about caring  for someone with an acquired brain injury a few years ago. You may find something in it to assist with your caring situation. Click her for link to that blog.

My Aged Care

My Aged care is run by the Australian Government and helps people sort out care required around the home, If you need some help around the house or think it’s time to look into aged care homes.
Because it is a government run organisation your information from Care2Serve is shared. 
As many people are looking after younger people they probably do not fit into ‘aged care’.

I find the My Aged Care web site is a bit like a rabbits warren and difficult to get answers easily.

Personally, and possibly because I do not require aged care assistance yet, I have found working with Care2Serve more helpful to me whenever I have needed assistance.
This is the link to their website.

Care@Home

Care@home is a state-wide interdisciplinary service that remotely supports patients, to better self-manage their illnesses and chronic conditions in their own home using virtual care technologies, improving patient health outcomes and reducing potentially preventable hospital admissions.

This virtual care service aims to provide a single point of access for home and community-based care; making it easier for both consumers and clinicians to identify what care pathways are available to support people in their preferred environment.

Acute Virtual Monitoring Program (AVMP): 

• This program offers short-term care at home for people with acute illnesses like respiratory infections (Covid, flu, croup, RSV), cellulitis, gastroenteritis, UTIs, and flare-ups of chronic conditions such as COPD, asthma, heart failure, and diabetes. Some other conditions may be considered case by case. Patients are enrolled for 7 to 10 days, with 24/7 nursing support and access to doctors from 9 AM to 9 PM, seven days a week. Chronic Disease Management Program (CDMP): 
  • This virtual program helps people with long-term conditions stay healthier and avoid hospital visits. It offers health coaching, education, and care coordination to support better self-management. Patients work with the Care@Home team to set and achieve health goals while being connected to the right healthcare services for their needs.

How to enrol

Care@home offers two referral pathways: Patient Self-Referral and Health Care Professional Referral.

For the Acute Virtual Monitoring Program  self-referrals are only accepted for those with acute respiratory illness. All other referrals must be completed by a healthcare professional. 

For the Chronic Disease Monitoring Program, referrals can be either by self-referral or healthcare professionals.

Your Care@home care team

While you are enrolled in Care@home you will be supported by staff from the Department of Health including nurses, doctors, allied health professionals and our admin team.

Our admin team are the first people you will speak with. They will confirm your details and enrol you in the Care@home system.

If you require clinical advice, the admin team will organise for a nurse or doctor to contact you as soon as possible. 

With your consent, your existing healthcare provider, such as a general practitioner (GP), will be consulted to make sure we provide you with the most suitable support and for discharge information/support when you leave Care@home.

Virtual healthcare monitoring kit

If you are given a Care@home virtual healthcare monitoring kit, the Care@home team will let you know how your kit will be provided to you. The kit includes a monitor to check your oxygen levels and heart rate, a thermometer to check your temperature, and a smartphone device with MyCareManager application for the team to monitor your results virtually.

You will submit checks at least daily using the smartphone. The information will feed directly back to the Care@home clinical team, who will contact you if required and make sure you have the care you need.

When you leave the program, the Care@home team will contact you to arrange the return of the virtual healthcare monitoring kit.

You may be able to utilise a virtual appointment through MS Apps.

My experience with Care@Home

Recently I visited my family in Hobart to help distract my 4 year old granddaughter whilst she was recovering from having her tonsils and adenoids removed. Both my daughter and son-in-law work from home so I had hoped to be able to give them some ‘free time’ to do their work whilst Izzy and I played nicely!

All was going well to plan until my son-in-law came down with Influenza A. I caught it after a few days and was struggling with breathing etc. My daughter phoned multiple doctors surgeries but was unable to get me an appointment. One of the receptionists at a doctor’s surgery suggested that she contact Care@Home. Ten minutes of her phone call a monitoring kit was delivered to their home in Midway Point. I had been instructed to use the monitoring devices and submit their readings as soon as it arrived.

Within five minutes of submitting the recordings I received a phone call from a nurse. The nurse discussed my situation and decided that it was probably necessary for me to get onto to some antibiotics and Tammiflu meds.

Twenty minutes after talking to the nurse I received a phone call from one of their doctors on duty who arranged for the necessary scripts to be sent to a local chemist where my kids were able to collect them for me.

Every time I submitted a ‘bad’ reading with the monitoring devices I received a phone call from a nurse within a few. minutes.
I had an allergic reaction to one of the drugs and I was taken and was assisted by one of the nurses to call an ambulance to collect me.

I was so impressed with the support I received from Care@home that this is the main reason for me writing this blog to share the incredible support that is available in Australia.

Neighbourhood House Australia

Neighbourhood Houses are organisations offering accessible, locally-driven programs which respond to community needs and provide a soft-entry point to community and service systems.

Until I was looking for a venue for us to hold our carer support group meetings I was unaware of the approximately, 1000 Neighbourhood houses that are all around Australia.

There are 35 Neighbourhood houses in Tasmania.

Neighbourhood Houses serve as vital hubs where individuals unite to support their local community, making a profound impact on people’s lives. These houses are community-driven initiatives that offer a diverse array of programs and activities designed specifically for the residents they serve. Considered the warm and benevolent heart of the community, Neighbourhood Houses operate within a community development framework that empowers individuals and groups to effect positive change on the issues that directly impact them.

Community development, at the core of Neighbourhood Houses, embraces an inclusive, equitable, and responsive approach to problem-solving within communities. It fosters active participation, meaningful consultation, and broad community involvement throughout all stages of project development, design, implementation, and evaluation.

Each Neighbourhood House functions as an independent, legally incorporated association, guided by a dedicated volunteer committee entrusted with governance responsibilities. The day-to-day operations of these houses are managed by a dedicated team of professionals working in tandem with numerous passionate volunteers. All Neighbourhood houses work to provide services and activities to support community wellbeing.

Find a Neighbourhood House by clicking on this link.

I hope people find this information helpful. Please let me know if there are other Australian organisations that are available to assist people in need and I will add it to this blog.