What was your childhood dream? Did it come true? For today, we’re featuring someone who has dreamed to immigrate to Australia ever since he was young. And guess what? He lives here in Australia now. Let’s hear it from Fredd:
A bit about me
I am Fredd Alimento (a.k.a Dikoy Omambac), a native from Cebu, Philippines but I now live in Regional Victoria.
First, let me share some of my most memorable childhood memories. Growing up, my parents ran their own business. They had a jeepney which is a popular means of public transportation back in the Philippines. I remember, every time they had to refuel, they would get a raffle coupon for every 3 litres and they would write my name in every single one of them.
I was only 10 years old at the time but I knew that if we ever won in the raffle draw, that I would visit Australia, specifically, the Sydney Opera House. From then on, I’ve etched in my mind that I want to go to Australia when I get older.
Fast forward to when I was graduating from college (university), the professor had asked my classmates and I to stand one by one and say which country we thought would best to immigrate to. When my turn came, I said that I want to go to Australia. My classmates laughed at me and said “Bogo nimo dili ka adto sa Australia oi” (Stupid, you won’t go to Australia). None of them believed me and so I felt ashamed and blamed myself.
However, my dad always advised me that if I won’t be able to migrate overseas, that my best option to having a secure life in the Philippines was to work for the government. So, that’s what I did. It took me 10 years before I was able to work for the government and join the Philippine National Police as a Non-Uniform Personnel. Can you imagine? It took me that long because I had no “backer” even though my father used to work for the Philippine Constabulary and had a lot of friends and relatives who could’ve helped but no one did. I asked my father why he didn’t help me and he said that if I was able to achieve it without them helping me, that it means that I am very strong and that I can stand on my own. These words still ring true to this day even now that I’m here in Australia.
Why I chose to migrate to Australia
I’ve always wanted to migrate to Australia ever since I was a child. Even when I was working as a government employee, I’ve still kept my plan to live in Australia one day. There are a lot of reasons as to why I chose to immigrate here. I wasn’t happy with the job I had in the Philippines because of the low income, the discrimination that I’ve experienced, and my ambition. I didn’t want to stay in a place where I’d be unhappy till the day that I retire.
Speaking of retirement, I have also considered the financial aspect of it. I started working as a government employee in the Philippines when I was 30 years old and I thought that if I were to retire when I had a million pesos, it would take me until 2051 before I may be able to achieve it. But here in Australia, if you’re hardworking, you’d have a million pesos in only a year and a half. Another reason is that my brother who moved to Australia before I did have constantly encouraged me to follow.
My first few years in Australia
I have been in Australia since 2019. There were a lot of things that I had to adjust to in my first few years here such as the weather, time, using the bus, the language/ communicating with other people, and food. I struggled to get my VicRoads license and failed the drive test multiple times but I kept on practicing and trying until I eventually passed.
In 2020, I faced the biggest trial that I’ve ever faced. Something that changed my life, the passing of my mother. I tried to fly back to the Philippines when she passed away but there were no flights available. I was only able to watch my mother be sent to the cemetery online via Zoom. What got me through every challenge that I faced here is what my father told me, that —
“I can stand on my own.”
My life now
My life is different now. I have adapted to the Australian culture, tradition, and way of thinking. And now that I can drive and have my own car I’m able to meet up with my friends, go to the market, to my workplace and basically access any part of Melbourne. I currently work as a welder fabricator in Regional Victoria but I’m always challenging my self and planning my next step.
Do you want to immigrate to Australia? Here’s some advice
- Don’t go to Australia if you are not confident.
- Don’t go to Australia if you can’t endure and sacrifice.
- Don’t go to Australia if you can’t persevere.
- Don’t go to Australia if you are not strong.
- Don’t go to Australia if you are just going to complain.
- Don’t go to Australia if you can’t eat your pride.
- Don’t go to Australia if you can’t bear the sadness.
- Don’t go to Australia if you are weak.
- Don’t go to Australia if you don’t know how to approach.
- Don’t go to Australia if you are not sure why you are going abroad
- Don’t complain to everyone if you failed. Look at yourself and figure out why you failed.
- Always remember to not dwell, on your past but look straight to what you have planned next for the future.
- Don’t compare yourself to others. We all have different employment history, family discipline, life experiences, and educational background. What I like the most about Australia is that everyone is equal, no matter what your job is.
By Fredd Alimento
Australia changed my life. It changed the way I make decisions. It made me stronger.
Authors: Fredd Alimento x My Aussie Story
About the “Your Aussie Story” series:
Immigrants in Australia, though from different cultures and backgrounds, tend to have similar experiences and common ‘struggles’ as they build their new life here in Australia. Through My Aussie Story, I’ve been trying to help out people like myself to be able to navigate the Australian way of life a little bit easier by sharing my own experiences.
I’ve always believed that every migrant’s journey would be less challenging if we learn from each other. This is why we’ve created Your Aussie Story. Your Aussie Story is a ‘series’ in our website where we feature inspiring stories of immigrants in Australia.
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Disclaimer All content and information in this post is for purposes of sharing my experiences only, does not constitute professional advice and does not establish any kind of professional-client relationship.
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