Isabel Almendrades
| First name | Isabel |
|---|---|
| Last name | Almendrades |
| Country of Origin | Peru |
| Date of Birth | 30/01/55 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1974 |
| Submitted by | Isabel Romero |
Story
Reason for leaving homeland – I was a Journalist and the Peruvian Government was a Military Dictatorshi. There was no freedom for the media .
I came her as a undercover reporter to report on the Australian Immigration program – in those years Australia would only bring single girls from Peru. I did fly with 20 other girls who were young and well educated, but with no command of English so on their arrival they had a lot of support from various service providers.
The media was at the airpot to welcome new arrivals from South America. We were driven by a limousine to our new home – a Youth Hostel in Hyde Park YWCA . We had free accomodation, free food, and free English classes at the University.
The Government were very supportive and on those times we also had a free health insurance and free social security income till we were able to find a job. It did not take long the majority of us found a job very quickly.
Every week we were taken to various appointments for different jobs. My first job was in a pharmaceutical firm till I was able to speak English well. Then I moved to other jobs, I was able to get re-trained and work as travel consultant. I returned to my country 3 years later, but decided to return to Australia and continue working and studying . I worked as Interpreter to assit my Spanish Community and while working as an interpreter I went to University and studied Welfare Studies.
Currenty I work in a Government project as Settlement Grant Project Officer assisting refugees, migrants and humanitarian entrants.
I have one daughter she is 25, a University graduate and currently working as an economist.
My 30 years living in Australia have given me a lot of experience which I utilise to assist new communities and raise issues at Community Relations & Consultation at State and Federal levels.