Probus club members out and about

This month, 34 members travelled to Pyramid Hill, enjoying lunch at the local hotel, before meeting and hearing from four members of the Filipino community.

Marilyn and Richard Fernandez, together with Loida and Jeffrey Pacali, spoke of their migration to Australia and their life in the Pyramid Hill community.

In 2006, Mrs Fernandez was the first to come to Australia.

Leaving behind five of her children with her husband and family, Mrs Fernandez began working in Tom Smith’s piggery at Pyramid Hill.

After eight months, Mr Fernandez arrived with the children, and he also started working in the piggery.

He has moved to a position with a local shire, where he has been working for the past five years.

Mr and Mrs Pacali came to Australia in 2009 to work in Phil Wilson’s piggery at Tragowel.

All of them came in search of a better life for themselves and the educational opportunities for their children.

Mrs Fernandez will be forever grateful for the opportunity Tom Smith has given her family and many other Filipino families.

Their enthusiasm and their love for Australia made compelling listening.

They are all now happily settled in Pyramid Hill and actively involved in the local community.

Their presentation was truly inspirational, and the Probus members were delighted to have had the opportunity to hear them give an overview of their lives in the Philippines and their achievements since arriving in Australia.

To wrap up the afternoon, Mr Fernandez sang a rendition of Jimmy Barnes’ Working Class Man.