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ABC News
4 days ago
- General
- ABC News
Australia's small Tuvaluan diaspora is about to grow fast — and it's determined to keep traditions alive
Tuvaluan migrant Frayzel Uale's first encounter with Australia left him gripped by culture shock. The traffic and skyscrapers in his new home city of Melbourne were unlike anything he had seen on his tiny home island in the Pacific. But that wasn't the hardest part about moving from Tuvalu in 2021 as a teenager. "It was fitting in … especially in school," he says. "It was hard to make friends due to the language barrier." Four years later, the 19-year-old has found his niche at a community hall near Melton, in Melbourne's north-west. On a Saturday night in June, he keeps the beat as the voices of more than 30 young people rise in song at a monthly youth event held by the Tuvaluan community. They're performing a fatele — a traditional dance song that brings Frayzel back to his childhood in Tuvalu. "It's the closest thing to home," he says. "Living in countries like this you can feel very isolated from home … you miss your homeland." Organisers say the youth events, known as Youth Connection Day, are about to grow more important for Tuvalu's small but vibrant diaspora. Up to 280 Tuvaluans a year will begin moving to Australia soon, under a new visa letting them escape the impact of climate change on their islands — agreed through the landmark Falepili Union treaty between the two countries. It's proving popular, with more than 4,000 people already having entered a ballot for the first batch of visas. The low-lying atoll nation is in peril from rising seas, and scientists say it could become uninhabitable within decades. Tuvaluans already living in Australia say they are determined to keep their culture alive in their adopted new country. "We need to hold on to something that is uniquely ours, in order for us to continue to survive," Youth Connection Day organiser Losa Sogivalu says. Frayzel says events like the youth night will help migrants settle in as they arrive under the new treaty. "We can help them slowly fit in, help them through the culture shock," he says. "It brings them a sense of belonging." Many of the young people gathered at the youth event have never seen Tuvalu. Ms Sogivalu says she didn't want to see them grow up outside of their traditional culture, as she did as a young person in New Zealand. "I want the kids to have what I didn't have," she says. At Arnolds Creek Children's and Community Centre, kids and teenagers play games teaching them Tuvaluan language and songs. The venue buzzes with energy as they compete in group singing contests and other team activities. Ms Sogivalu says the mood is "crazy" — in a good way. "It's loud, it's messy. But we wouldn't have it any other way," she says. "That's what we want. We want the kids to be their true selves." Latasi Monise, 16, was born and raised in Australia but is learning more about his Tuvaluan heritage at the events. "I get to come here and interact with people who are just like me," he says. Later in the night, he joins Frayzel in keeping the beat as the group dances in the fatele. Several young men tap the wooden box at the centre, while young women, girls and boys dance in a circle at the edge. After only two Youth Connection Day events, organisers have seen the young people grow in confidence as they dance. "I've also seen pride in their culture," Ms Sogivalu says. "As a young Pacific Islander, as a minority in this big country, you get lost. "And this is an opportunity for them to get connected, through their roots, to who they are." Youth Connection Day is one of a growing number of events run by community organisation Kaiga Tuvalu Victoria, as it prepares for the arrival of new Tuvaluan migrants. The group's president, Niu Boland, has seen the diaspora grow since he moved to Australia 25 years ago. When he arrived in Melbourne about 10 years ago, he found a small diaspora of Tuvaluans there who had moved from New Zealand. "There was still a bit of a community thing going on, but it's nothing like it is today," Mr Boland says. He estimates Melbourne's Tuvaluan community now numbers a few hundred. "Over the years, we seem to have a lot more numbers that attend our social functions." Many now meet weekly at a church service at Melton's Baptist Church, where the congregation sings and hears sermons in Tuvaluan language. But Tuvaluans who have already moved from its islands say starting a new life in Australia can be hard. Mr Boland says without a rental history, it could be hard finding a property in a tight housing market. "They'll just have to depend on the [Tuvaluan] community for support, a lot of community support," he says. "And the community will have to back that up, just for while they get their feet on the ground." Latasi says the reality of life in Australia could be harder than anticipated for some Tuvaluan migrants. "Most Pasifika people … they'll say 'it's freedom from what we know now, we just move there and there's so much opportunity,'" he says. "It's not exactly like that. They might come here and then not find a job, and then they'll have to just live with relatives who are already here. "I think it's great [they can move to Australia], but I don't think it's without its cons." For now, Melbourne's Tuvaluan community is ready to welcome more people, including at its youth nights. "We've started something that hopefully they'll be able to join, and they can help us as well to maintain the culture," Ms Sogivalu says. Learning Tuvalu's language also gives the community's young people hope they can see their homeland, despite rising sea levels. Latasi plans to finally make the trip one day — and speak Tuvaluan there. "I want it to be there, so me and my kids can visit, my grandkids can visit," he says. "I don't want it to just be gone."
News.com.au
20-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
‘Shock': Traveller reveals everything wrong with Australia
If you're like me and you've returned from Ho Chi Minh City after weeks of seeing 'Open 24 hours' signs plastered on every establishment and you're now wondering why you can't get a late-night feed that's not a McDonald's burger – you're not alone. After spending a year soaking up the fast-paced, late-night energy of some of Asia's busiest cities, Sydney woman Fiona Wang thought she'd feel comforted coming home. Instead, she found herself wandering empty footpaths after 5.30pm and not being able to get in to see the doctor on a weekend. 'How do Australians do this?' she said in a social media clip. The 29-year-old business owner and self-proclaimed 'travel-addict' recently returned to Australia after living in Bali, and says the adjustment back to Aussie life has been a culture shock in ways she didn't expect. 'If you're working 9-5, everything is closed by 5.30pm and doctors aren't open on Sundays. 'In Asia you can still contact the banks after 5pm, you can go to the mall 'till 10pm – you can do anything you need to,' she said. Like Fiona, I too had grown used to the 24-hour pharmacies, late-night bar spots and restaurants buzzing well into the early hours. But even mundane errands have now become a mission. 'Back here, I can't even send things by post unless I go during lunchtime,' she added. Amen, Fiona. Though she still loves to call Australia home, the 29-year-old admits she 'needs half-half.' A quick Google search returns results of like-minded night-owls all in pursuit of the answer to this very same question. 'Why does everything in Australia close so early?' In a very brutal Reddit take, one user questioned: 'Does no one like making money in Australia? Or do they just close early to go home and complain about the cost of living? Trying to get food after 9pm is impossible, and don't even get me started on AusPost opening hours.' 'Cafes closing at 1pm needs to be studied,' replied one user. Tim Bennett, insurance expert at Finder told 'We need to be more than a nation of coffee shops at 2pm to deserve the label of a top cultural destination.' 'There's a clear tension between the desire for a vibrant, attractive night-life that draws tourists and boosts local economies, and concerns about public safety and noise,' he said. 'Australian cities absolutely can have both safe and peaceful, while vibrant and world famous entertainment districts, but it requires genuine financial support for venues to make accommodations, protections from noise complaints, and good city planning to get people home safely. 'It also requires an acceptance from residents, especially in existing entertainment districts, that this is part and parcel of living in the inner cities.' Whether Australia is a nation with a rumbling night-life underbelly that's waiting to emerge or one that's permanently transfixed by early morning run clubs and matcha is yet to be seen – but until then, Ho Chi Minh is always ready for a good time.
News.com.au
26-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
‘Feels so positive': Expat reveals the biggest culture shocks after working in Australia for a year
After working in Australia for over a year, an expat from Singapore has shared the biggest culture shocks she's experienced. Luna, 29, works in media in Melbourne and has been surprised by Australia's chill workplace culture. Firstly, unlike in Singapore where a typical working day ends at 6pm, Aussies knock off at 5pm. 'The one that stood out the most is how everyone leaves on time. In Singapore, especially in small and mid-sized companies, I hardly see anyone packing as the clock strikes 6pm,' she said. The young worker said, in Singapore, leaving work before your boss does back isn't exactly the done thing if you want to get ahead. 'There's a certain unspoken stress that comes with leaving the office before your boss leaves,' she told 'There was once, at my first job, when I left on time my then-manager remarked, 'Wow, you're leaving early today'.' The 29-year-old stressed that she didn't go in completely blind and had done some research before coming to work in Australia, but it was still a shock. 'I love the emphasis on work-life balance. Nobody disturbs me when I'm on vacation, and even if someone emails me after working hours, they do not expect a reply until the next day,' she said. The young worker said the cultural norm in Australia is that you should take leave and 'enjoy it' and not be contacted while you're away. She was stunned to discover that there also a law around this, In August 2024, Australia introduced the Right to Disconnect law, which ensures employees can refuse to monitor, read or respond to contact from their employer or others outside of their working hours, unless refusal is unreasonable. Luna claimed it is proof that Aussies really 'respect the boundary between work and personal life', which she appreciates. The worker has also been amazed to discover the concept of long service leave, where if you've been at a company for over a certain amount of time, you get extended paid leave. It varies depending on where in the country you are working. For instance, in the ACT, you receive it is just over six weeks of long service leave after seven years, but in NSW, you're entitled to two months after a decade. Luna has also been astounded by how casual Aussies are at work and said the 'chill vibes' have been a nice surprise. She has found it wild that people will say the F-word in the office and co-workers talk to each other like their friends. The 29-year-old also said she was taken aback by how relaxed the Aussie office culture is, even if someone makes a mistake. 'Everyone is very chill about things going wrong. If you're running late, text your boss. Need to work from home? That is all good. Made a mistake? No worries we will fix it together,' she said. 'Work culture feels so positive and less toxic in Australia.' Luna has also observed that, in Australia, it is normal to bring food in for lunch and eat alone, whereas back in Singapore you always buy lunch out and grab food as a team. 'I kind of like this better as it encourages team bonding, but of course, it is annoying when there's someone I dislike in the team,' she said. Another downside about working in Australia is that she's been stunned to learn that she has to pay 30 per cent tax in Australia, while back home, she only paid three per cent in tax. There's also the fact that she's found it hard to connect with her co-workers, but she's getting better at it. 'The part I'm finding challenging is finding common topics with people to chat about. Coming from a different culture and country, I consume different media, watch different shows etc,' she said. 'Plus, Aussies are chattier than Singaporeans, so I struggle with trying to hold conversations. I've been trying to bridge that gap by listening to Aussie podcasts, watching Aussie reality TV shows, and following Aussie news. 'I also noticed that people in Melbourne always complain about the weather so I do that now as a small talk topic.' Luna's work observations have divided people online, with some claiming Australia has an amazing work culture and others not being so convinced. 'There are still many problems with Aussie workplaces including subtle racism and micro-aggressions,' one said. 'Australia sucks! Saying that as an Aussie,' another noted. 'I'd pay the tax just for the work life balance,' someone else said. 'Been in Australia for over a decade and I could never go back to the work culture in Singapore. Toxic places do exist in Australia and it's a different kind of toxicity, but everyone does respect others time outside of work,' one said. 'I got scolded once for calling an Australian colleague at 4.30pm. They really take their 9-5 seriously,' another shared. 'Okay, I don't know where you are working, but this has not been my experience in Australia working in law. It must vary widely between industries,' someone else said. 'This made me feel kind of blessed to be an Aussie. I didn't realise our work culture was so good,' one chimed in.
