Rupert Winkler
| First name | Rupert |
|---|---|
| Last name | Winkler |
| Country of Origin | AUSTRIA |
| Date of Birth | 28.08.1965 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1990 |
| Submitted by | Rupert Winkler |
Story
As a ski instructor/coach I wanted to work in the snow all year around and had to go south to follow my dream and I had 2 choices South America or Australia/New Zealand. Australia was my first choice, because one of my best mates was already there.
It was the longest flight I have ever done, but I found some companions on the way which came for the same reason and the entire trip turned into one great party.
My first day I spend in Sydney and couldn’t believe there are snow fields nearby where you can ski, because Sydney was warm and very pleasant for a winter. The next day we travelled to Jindabyne and still no snow in sight, but as we arrived in Thredbo, finally I found what I was looking for. In the first season here I met my future wife, but I still went back and forth following the cold season. At last in 1994 I applied for permanent residency and in 1999 I permanently stayed in Australia. On Australia day in 2007 I was granted Australian citizenship sealed by a handshake from the Prime Minister John Howard.