FOR international chefs Daniele Ercole and Gayan Perera, work is everything.
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It’s the difference between a life in Australia or not.
And with permanent residency only months away for the wannabe Aussie chefs, who are here on sponsorship Visas, employment is as crucial as ever.
However, their future now hangs in the balance thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.
With restrictions forcing many businesses to close, one of the worst hit is the restaurant industry.
Leaving chefs, among others, in the firing line.
“It was hard because one week everything was going fine and a week later, with the coronavirus crisis no-one knew what was going on with Visas,” Daniele said.
“We were worried because we didn’t know what was going to happen day by day and we could lose our Visas.”
But thanks to Moama’s Border Inn owners Julianne and Adrian Daly, who are sponsoring Daniele and Gayan, the chefs are continuing to work fulltime.
“We’re still able to work because we’re doing takeaway,” Daniele said.
“Otherwise we’d be sitting at home and waiting without getting paid.
“We have heard of so many others who have lost their sponsorship due to the coronavirus. This could have been us.
“We’re lucky because we’re working for the right business who care about their staff. A lot of businesses think about money first. My bosses put their staff first, before money. That’s a great thing in this day and age when so many people are all about making money.
“The other chefs in the kitchen are also giving us more hours because they can get paid by the government, and we can’t.
“I’m so grateful to all of them. I think I’ll be in debt to them for the rest of my life.”
Daniele arrived in Australia in October 2016 at the age of 21, working at Ceres in Echuca for six months before moving onto Café 3564, The Mill and then the Border Inn two years ago.
“I can apply for permanent residency after working for the same business for three years,” he said.
“Since I came here, I have been working hard every day to try to make a better future for myself.
“If I got stood down from work now, I’d have wasted four years of my life and money as Visas and lawyers are expensive. But we are happy to pay because we’re doing it for a better future for me and my future family. I want to give them a better than normal life.
“The coronavirus has affected a lot of people like me who had plans to invest money in Australia and have now lost everything and had to go home.
“G and I have been really lucky because we work for beautiful people. We’re still working a 38-hour week and being paid a full salary.”
Gayan is living in Echuca with his wife Sagani Fernando and their three young children after arriving from Sri Lanka three years ago.
“I can apply for permanent residency in four months,” he said.
“I don’t know what I would do if the Border closed and I had no work. Initially I would have had to go back to Sri Lanka but all the airports are closed now.
“If I had no work, I wouldn’t have any income and I would struggle to feed my family.
“We came here for a better future for our children. Australia is a nice country and we love living in Echuca-Moama.
“I feel so lucky to be working for people who care about us so much. Every decision they make they think about us first.”
The 43-year-old said it was tough being away from his family in Sri Lanka during these uncertain times, but the Echuca-Moama community had made them feel so welcome.
“Our children go to St Mary’s and they love it there,” he said.
“We get lots of people calling us to see if we’re okay.
“My plan once we get permanent residency is to stay in Echuca. It’s very nice to live in a small country town.”
As for Daniele, if he continues working, he can apply for his residency in July next year.
“I’d like to spend a couple of years in Echuca to save some money because my Visa will cost $10,000,” he said.
“Before I’m 30, I’d like to open up a small café or restaurant on the Gold Coast or Sydney.
“It’s taken a lot of sacrifice to get to where I am. It’s not easy living in another country where the language and culture are so different and you are away from your family and friends. But I’m doing it for a reason and that’s for a better future.”