Good Neighbour Award Do you know someone who: is friendly or helpful? provides assistance to others and contributes to the community? is respectful and mindful of others? maintains their property well? volunteers in the community? Now is your chance to recognise them! Anyone can nominate a Housing Choices Tasmania resident for this award. All nominees go in the yearly draw for our Neighbour of the Year award. To nominate your Good Neighbour, please contact our Community Development Team via email communitydevelopmenttas@ hcau.org.au or by calling 1300 312 447.
Mahlet finds home Hobart resident Mahlet has made huge strides since arriving in
15 of the questions correctly, including all five questions about Australian values. The questions in the test change each time, so Mahlet studied from a list of over 500 possible questions. After studying on her
Tasmania from Ethiopia in December 2018. After seven months in shared accommodation, Mahlet became a Housing Choices resident in 2019. Having a stable home has meant she’s has been able to focus her attention on all the challenges that come with moving to a new country – learning a new language, getting a job and her driver's license. Her latest challenge has been her biggest yet. Her Australian Citizenship. The process began with the huge task of collating her paperwork and submitting her application. After that, it was time to study. The Australian Citizenship Test is a 20 question multiple choice test, which asks about Australian history, culture and values. To pass, Mahlet needed to answer
phone every spare moment she could,
Mahlet failed the test on her first attempt. It was disappointing, but she rebooked the test and tried again. She passed the test on her fourth attempt. “It was very hard. But I am happy now. I have my home, my driving license, I’m working.” While Mahlet has found a home in Tasmania, she struggles with the feeling of being isolated from her family and husband, who are still overseas. Her citizenship means she is now able to travel with an Australian passport, which brings her one step closer to being reunited.
Save the date
Wednesday 12 June
Dudes Day at East Devonport Neighbourhood House.
5
Made with FlippingBook Digital Publishing Software