By Cristina Sacco of the Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra (MCCI), which delivers the Welcome Experience, a free support service in the Illawarra Shoalhaven
Lita and Livia grew up in the same small, tight-knit and vibrant Fijian village. They were familiar with each other’s families and are even related on their fathers’ side. But as luck would have it, they never actually met back in their home village.
Fast forward to the present day, and both women have made the life-changing decision to move to Australia. They arrived separately, unaware that their paths would cross in such an emotional way, many miles from home. Adjusting to life in a new country came with its challenges: unconventional work hours, unfamiliar surroundings, and the absence of familiar faces.
The coincidences continued to surface. Livia and Lita both work in aged care and are receiving support from Local Connectors to settle into their communities, with Livia’s family recently joining her from Fiji. Remarkably, the two now live very close to each other on the beautiful South Coast – one in Shellharbour and the other in Nowra.
Then, one evening, they attended a sunset pizza event hosted by The Welcome Experience, and it was at this event that they finally met. It was a simple introduction, but for both of them, the recognition was instant and heartwarming. Livia learned that Lita was from her village, and they began naming relatives, realising quickly how deeply connected their families were.
“Even though this is our first time meeting, it feels like I’ve known her forever,” Livia said with a smile.
The moment was more than an introduction – it was a reconnection to their shared roots, culture, and heritage. For Lita, meeting Livia brought a piece of home to her new life in Australia.
“It’s a different feeling,” she said. “You feel like you're back in Fiji, with someone who understands everything – your stories, your language, your ways.”
Now, just a stone’s throw from each other, they plan to spend time together when they can, despite their busy work schedules. The Welcome Experience didn’t just introduce them – it reminded them of who they are and where they came from. In a foreign land, they found family, friendship, and a sense of belonging.
The Welcome Experience is designed to help essential workers and their families who are relocating to regional NSW, providing them with personalised support and local connections to make the transition smoother and help them feel truly at home in their new community.
More information on The Welcome Experience can be found here.