Salvador Nuñez
“Respect, love, care and social justice are paramount to my work and life”
Salvador Nuñez
Country of origin: El Salvador.
Occupation: Former roles - Community Development, Social Worker, Manager, and lately, Multicultural Policy and Planning Coordinator at City of Whittlesea. Now retired from formal work. State of Residency: VIC. Favourite place in Australia: Brimbank Park and Mount Macedon – and looking koalas and kangaroos. Upon arrival: Surprised by the weather.
By Trini Abascal
Salvador is a former Social Worker, being his last role the Multicultural Policy and Planning Coordinator at City of Whittlesea. During his role as Community and Social Worker, he supported many new communities of refugees, from diverse countries, to establish and settle in Australia. He volunteered for the Latin American Community for many years and helped to establish several community organisations. For his work he has received a few awards. He contributed to multiculturalism of this country by supporting refugees, asylum seekers and social justice issues within the Australian context.
TELL US YOUR STORY
I came to Australia in 1984 as a refugee, with my wife Marina and two children (five and six years old) from El Salvador. Due to the civil war in my country, I did not have a choice; it was a matter of life or death. Having experienced torture back home and forced to leave my family and my people in the struggle, I was suffering a lot of traumas. So, when I arrived, I could not understand what was happening here - there was people from all political sides of my country and people from all over the world at the same place (the Midway Hostel).
We did not know anyone so we had to start from zero - creating new friends, new life, learning the English language and the Australian culture. My first decisions were to study English, contribute to the unity of my Salvadoran community, and start a solidarity group to support our people in the struggle back home. However, due to my situation, it was very difficult to learn the language; so I decided to look for a job instead. I went to the CES (now Centrelink) and I asked for help to get a job. They sent me to the Strathmore High School, where I worked as a Gardener for 8 months. I must say that it was very difficult to understand my supervisor, even at the point of almost losing my job: one day he told me “come back on Tuesday after the Easter holiday” and I understood Thursday; so when I went back, my supervisor said “why have you come today? I do not have a job for you”. I explained the situation and he reconsidered my position and kept me on the job. After that incident, I decided to go back to study English and look for other options.
Salvador alongside City of Whittlesea’s volunteers and council members
After studying English for seven months, I found my second job as a Latin American Project Officer at the Footscray Migrant Resource Centre, to support refugees living in the Midway Hostel and surrounding areas. This job gave me the opportunity to support and learn about the Australian welfare, the education, political and social system. This empowered me to go back to study and seek the recognition of my previous qualifications. I studied at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (Phillips Institute) and did my Postgraduate in Community Development and later did the Master of Social Sciences (International Community Development) at RMIT University. Due to my economic situation, I had to work hard, doing cleaning jobs during the night and my professional work during the day. Those first 10 years were very tough!
While that was happening with my jobs and studies, I was already very involved with my community, creating and supporting different initiatives to deal with the problems that the community was experiencing in adapting to this new culture. Together with other members, we established sporting, cultural, social, and welfare organisations to respond to the aspirations and needs of our community. These include: The Central American Community and Welfare Committee Inc., the Central American Pastoral House “Monseñor Oscar Arnulfo Romero”, the El Salvador Jaraguá Sport and Cultural Club, and the Latin American Information Community Centre.
Overall, with my work I contributed to the Australian society in the areas of diversity and inclusion, Indigenous Australians, and multiculturalism. Some of the organisations I worked for are: Prahran Community Health Centre, Central American Pastoral House, Orana Family Services, Broadmeadows Community Services, Dianella Community Health Services, ISIS Primary Care, North and West Melbourne Community Centre and finally with Whittlesea City Council.
I owe my success in this country, to my wife Marina that took care of the kids (Esmeralda, Lilina and Jeraldo) - and now are respectable professionals - while I was working and supporting my community. I could not have done my studies and work without the support of my wife and my children. So my appreciation and thank you so much!
CHALLENGES
English language - When I came to Australia, I did not speak, write or understand English. It was very difficult to understand what was happening around me. It was like being mute and blind. As a matter of priority, I decided to learn the language by going to school, reading books, and watching television. I remembered very well when I had to work and then study almost all night to learn the language.
Multiculturalism - The “Australian culture” was hard to understand, because there was so many people from different countries, and each of us have a different culture. Still at this day, one can ask: what is the Australian Culture? I could not understand some of the practices and ways of life. However, this diversity of cultures, which I had never experienced before, is beautiful and positive.
Racism - Given that I am an Indigenous person and I have an accent when I speak English, I had so many incidents of racism, even at work – which is a very damaging practice. I was told things like “wog go home”, “black”, “nigger”, and so on. Because I am a refugee here and I had to do anything to survive, I did not put a lot of attention to these offences and made my way up to do the important things that I needed to do to support my people. My attitude has been positive and I always look at the bright side of things, for my family, my community and those for whom I have worked for.
Salvador with his family: his dad with all his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren
CONTRASTS
Individualism - I come from a communal way of living which focuses on family, community and cultural values. Contrary to that, is the dominant Anglo-Saxon way of living - individualistic, personal and egocentric. I struggled a lot to understand and accept it. Although my values are a bit different to the large majority of Australians, I realised that I can still contribute to this multicultural society.
Political system - I came from a militaristic, dictatorship political system, and a civil war. In contrast, the Australian political system is totally different; people are allowed to argue and have an opinion. This gave me a sense of safety and stability for my family’s future.
Welfare System - Coming from El Salvador, where there are no social and economic support services for people, I found the Australian welfare system a very important social justice feature.
PIECE OF ADVICE
THINKING OF MOVING TO AUSTRALIA:
Be prepared - Australia is a great country, with open opportunities for those who are open minded and want to work hard. Be prepared to face difficulties, such a language, racism, feeling lonely and even the weather.
ON SUCCESS:
Learn and contribute - Learn the English language and learn from many cultures (the richness of all diverse cultures will enrich your life). It is also important to be prepared to go back to school and get your qualification recognised in this country. Love your community by volunteering and supporting those in most need.
IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING:
Have hope - When we are experiencing difficulties, think about the beauty of life, try to enjoy the moment that we are living, and remember how fortunate we are of being alive.
Supporting each other - There is always something else that we can do to support and encourage those who are experiencing difficulties. Friends and family members are very important in helping us when struggling with issues. Remember, I am one call away and we can help and support each other.
A celebration event of the El Salvador community in Melbourne
Salvador’s contribution to the community being recognised during Latin Stories Australia’s exhibition “Building Bridges”
IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS…
Salvador would love to complete three books: In search of the true History of El Salvador, My biography and a tree of Poems. He is also looking forward to keep supporting his community, as long as he can and his health allows him to do it. He would also love to continue enjoying his three children and his grandson Joshua and granddaughter Isabella.
Salvador’s story is part of “Nuestras Voces” project.