Emilytoremainin SydneyasCovid-19 crisiscontinues
A Knockananna camogie player has opened up about the challenges of living in Sydney during the Covid-19 crisis.
Emily O’Reilly from Toberpatrick moved to Australia in November after graduating as an occupational therapist from NUI Galway. Having spent five months in the Perth area, she moved to Sydney three weeks ago. According to the WHO, 5,795 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in Australia and 39 deaths as of yesterday (Tuesday).
Speaking to this paper, Emily said the coronavirus crisis was unfolding while she was working on a farm outside Perth. Despite some concerns, Emily said she decided to travel on to Sydney.
‘When I got here, I saw how empty the city actually was. It really wasn’t busy compared it to what I’d see on a usually [busy] day in Dublin. It didn’t have city vibes as such.
‘I got a little bit scared then and it did cross my mind to go home but there is a Facebook page here called Irish in Sydney.
People were posting pictures up of flights being 10,000 dollars to get home and I said I’m not putting that much money into it.‘
While the cost of flights to Ireland has fallen, Emily has decided to remain in Sydney for now where she is sharing a house with other Irish people.
‘I think we’re better off just pushing it out a bit out here, but the only thing that myself and my housemates are worrying about is if we do stay here and the funds do get low, we are only on working visas. We’re not gonna get support from the government’
Emily said the Irish embassy in Australia advised Irish citizens to return home if they don’t think they had the financial resources to stay. Her time working on the farm allowed Emily to save some money and she said she is confident of finding work in Sydney.
Emily is in the process of registering with the Australian health system to work as an occupational therapist. However, the process is long and costly.
‘ The health system obviously is very busy with coronavirus so they’re a little bit slower with recruitment. I’m an occupational therapist, so I wouldn’t be as essential as a nurse at the moment, But, there’s plenty of jobs out here, I’m not worried about it.’
While working on the farm, Emily was unable to play camogie and football, but her move to Sydney will let her get back into playing.
‘One of my friends from Knockananna is over here and she is playing football and camogie for a club. There was also friends from college playing football and camogie for clubs and they all said to join their club. When I came here, it’s like Ireland at the moment all of camogie and football is suspended over here as well. At the moment, I’m pucking around in the back yard, trying to keep practicing.’
Emily has been following the Covid-19 crisis in Ireland and said it is difficult to be so far from her family at this time. Emily was also invited to take part in an RTE video about the Irish abroad and their perceptions of how Covid-19 is affecting their lives and Ireland.
‘It’s just tough when you’re on your phone and you’re looking at social media, especially RTE news, seeing what’s going on at home. You’re like maybe I should have stayed at home and worked for the HSE. I could be helping there. You feel a bit powerless when you’re over here because you can’t help anyone. I know a girl said it in the video as well but I’d love to even drop a few scones at my grandparents’ door or something, just to try and help them a little bit. ‘
While it is an anxious time, Emily said she is enjoying living in Australia.
‘ The weather over here is good. You wake up and you’re instantly in a good mood because it’s so nice outside. You get up earlier and you’re so much more productive with your day.
‘I’ve made friends from loads of countries along the way. Even the Irish... it’s crazy how much the Irish people stick together over here. When I was in Perth, I was staying in the city for the first two weeks, so I was contemplating playing football over there and a girl I know just put me into the group chat and they said send us on your CV and we’ll see if we can find you some work. The sense of community is massive. It’s really good. You’ll never be lost.’
‘When I got here, I saw how empty the city was..,it didn’t have big city vibes’