One Step at a Time

An Australian Cultural Orientation (AUSCO) Program student resource.

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“IN THE MAKING” VISION The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) engaged Inception Strategies to produce a social comic to be used in pre-departure cultural orientation training that increases awareness among humanitarian refugees about what life may be like in Australia.

WORKSHOPS

PRODUCTION TEAM

The workshops to develop the comic script were held at Multicultural Youth SA in South Australia.

Damian: Workshops, Script, Creative Supervision Brendan: Character Sheets Liz: Environment Sheets Tim: Pencils Averil and Ifan: Colours Jaymes: Lettering Brett: Graphic Design

THANKS

Helena, Maylin, Carmen and the team at Multicultural Youth SA (MYSA) for the use of their venue for the workshop.

“One Step at a Time” was made possible through funding from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).

We hope you like “One Step at a Time.” Australia is a great country with many opportunities.

Damian Amamoo, CEO Inception Strategies.

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Did you know that approximately one-quarter of all Australians were born overseas in one of over 200 countries?

As a migrant, you will play an important role in Australian society. The active involvement of migrants, whether it be in business, politics, sporting or cultural activities, has helped make Australia a special place.

However, it is also important to have realistic expectations and to set goals for your life in your new country. Maintaining a positive attitude will be very important and will help as you adjust and face the challenges you will encounter.

Since it began in 2003 the Australian Cultural Orientation (AUSCO) Program has helped over 23,000 people in 21 countries take the first step on the path to resettlement by providing them with training and information to help them begin their new life in Australia.

We ask you to approach your new life in Australia with a sense of adventure, patience and a willingness to learn.

While the handbook, and other resources you may be given in AUSCO including this comic book, will have basic information you can use on a daily basis, you should remember that no guidebook can answer all your questions.

Learning about Australia will be a life-long process.

The involvement of migrants, in business, politics, sporting and cultural activities makes Australia a special place.

May your life in Australia be enriching, fulfilling and peaceful.

The process of adjusting to life in Australia can take a long time; it may even take several years before you feel that Australia is your home.

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We’ve compiled a list of websites which may be useful for you to use as you start your life in Australia; but remember these are only a starting point and information may have changed over time. So, make sure you continue to read and explore issues in order to find out as much as you can.

NEED A QUESTION ANSWERED? TRY A SEARCH ENGINE: www.google.com.au

www.anzwers.com.au

BEGINNING A LIFE IN AUSTRALIA www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/settle-in-australia/beginning-life/index.htm

HEALTH Medicare Australia Immunisation Nutrition Mental Health Smoking/Alcohol/ Drug Use

Managing Families

www.medicare.gov.au www.immunise.health.gov.au/ www.gofor2and5.com.au/ www.fasstt.org.au www.quitnow.info.au/ www.drugs.health.gov.au/ www.raisingchildren.net.au

EDUCATION Education in Australia Going to University Adult Migrant English Program Trade & Apprenticeship Program

www.education.gov.au/goved/go www.goingtouni.com.au www.immi.gov.au/amep www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/

EMPLOYMENT / FINDING A JOB Centrelink www.centrelink.gov.au Finding a Job www.jobnetwork.gov.au

www.employmentguide.com.au/ Australian Workplace Information www.workplace.gov.au/ Trade & Apprenticeship Programs www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/ Starting your own business www.business.gov.au/Business+Entry+Point/

MONEY MANAGEMENT Australian Taxation Office Centrelink Understanding Money Managing Your Money Credit Cards & Loans

www.ato.gov.au www.centrelink.gov.au www.understandingmoney.gov.au/ www.fido.gov.au/fido/fido.nsf www.fido.gov.au/fido/fido.nsf/byHeadline/Credit

HOUSING Renting for Young People Buying a Home Good Neighbour Guide Community Information

www.moneystuff.net.au/Default.aspx?tabid=158 www.firb.gov.au/content/Publications/Buying_a_Home.pdf www.crs.org.au/pdf/Healthy_neighbourhoods_brochure.pdf www.community.gov.au/

TRANSPORT Road Safety and Licences Pedestrian Safety

www.rta.nsw.gov.au www.kidsafensw.org/roadsafety/pedestrian_safety.htm

AUSTRALIAN LAW Police in Australia

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www.apmab.gov.au/pubs/PoliceGuide.html

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We would like to thank the following talented people for their assistance in developing the story.

Mohammed A-K Mohammed T Huria B One Step at a Time.indd 28

Azita D Ria R Khadija G

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