The migrant home where good prevails

Anna Zubac escaped war-torn Bosnia to find sanctuary on the Gold Coast, and now works with a team to help many other migrants from around the globe adjust and learn how to live here and contribute to our Aussie society

Bulletin

GOLD Coast, prepare for a new population boom. After 20 years supporting international arrivals to our city, The Migrant Centre is bracing for its busiest year yet. With Federal Immigration Minister David Coleman reclassifying the Gold Coast as a regional area in order to attract students and skilled workers as migrants, The Migrant Centre’s executive manager Anna Zubac says her organisation is already expanding to cater for the influx.

She says the centre, which has three offices on the Gold Coast, served 6000 people just last year who were seeking assistance in settling in their new city – students, skilled migrants and refugees alike.

“Our workload is really set to grow,’’ she says.

“We’re already expanding our operations and working on new projects, programs and services to help.’’

As of November 16, the reclassification of the Gold Coast as a regional centre means the introduction of new visas for migrants, including the 491 visa for skilled workers and the 494 visa for employersponsored visas. The 494 visa significantly increases the number of occupations in which migrants can be sponsored and lowers the costs for employers.

Changes also mean international students will receive an extra five points in the skilled visa points grid for studying in a regional area, and an extra year for the graduate 485 visa.

“No matter where you’re coming from or what situation you’re coming from, it’s not easy making a new home in a new country,’’ Anna says.

“You need the right help and assistance but as new arrivals, how do you know where to start? If we don’t let migrants know what’s available, they’ll never get that support.

“The wonderful thing is how our community comes together to help these new residents – from the council, to state and federal governments, we get so much help. And it’s never just from one party, it’s bipartisan support. That’s why this is the lucky country.”

Despite our beautiful weather, it is not always sunny skies for new arrivals, many of whom have literally escaped with just their lives.

Indeed, Anna well understands both the agony and ecstasy they experience, having been a refugee herself.

She arrived in Australia in 1995 after escaping from Bosnia with her family, with the help of the International Red Cross.

“I was forced to leave. I would have been killed,” she says. “I was lucky because I was able to survive but it changed my life forever.

“For those people who think migrants and refugees are coming to Australia for the nice weather and beautiful Outback, I want them to think twice. My escape from my occupied homeland was literally survival.

“It’s a mindset change when you get here. This is not a refugee camp, it’s your new home. Even with finances, you are so accustomed to counting every penny you have, it’s difficult to shake that fear inside you.

“Once you have settled in here, you never stop missing the country where you grew up. My roots will always call to me, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love it here.

“Regardless of what I went through, I didn’t lose trust in people. Good will always prevail.

“When I started working at The Migrant Centre, I understood this job so well because I’ve lived that same experience as our consumers.

“I know how much they have to offer. We just have to help them showcase their skills, talents and abilities.”

Anna continued her own education at Griffith University with a degree in accounting and sustainable development, and a diploma in community services counselling, and is studying her masters in social sciences.

She says the primary focus of her job is helping new arrivals become financially independent.

She says although there is some community pushback against migrants, the city is overwhelmingly welcoming.

“There is pushback against multiculturalism right now, but we just handle it. As migrants I think we know we need to be tolerant. We are the newly arrived so we almost expect some certain behaviours,’’ she says.

“The tourism industry on the Gold Coast has taught us to be more tolerant towards other nations and races, however our community is not vaccinated against individuals who are racist and prejudiced. Perhaps this comes from fear of the unknown.

“Despite instances of intolerances, our community is very inclusive.

“After the Christchurch massacre, the local community responded with such compassion and love as a river of people flowed to the Islamic Centre at the Gold Coast Mosque to express condolences and to show support to fellow citizens of Islamic faith.

“This unity shows the real face of the Gold Coast – a modern, multicultural and tolerant society.

“The Gold Coast is growing into a true global village, with more than 120 ethnic groups, speaking over a hundred languages, and is set to become Australia’s showcase for diversity.”

Anna believes Gold Coast businesses will benefit from a migrant boom.

She says although language can be a barrier initially, most new arrivals are already fluent