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From Argentina
To Australia
We all hear what a great country Australia is and what different and varying opportunities there are for all types of people, workers and employers.
But Nicolas Valles is from far away Argentina which has spectacular natural wonders in its own right – Iguazu Falls, glaciers, and the mountains of Patagonia.
With Spanish as the official language of Argentina, what better way to broaden your English language skills than to visit and work in Australia. This is exactly the adventure that Nicolas Valles decided to embark upon.
Nicolas studied systems engineering for a few years but then decided to change tack and become a physical education teacher. He finished his studies in 2016 and then worked at various secondary schools for four years. He wanted to become more proficient in the English language so he decided to travel to Australia.
Arriving in Adelaide, Nicolas travelled with friends and also visited family there. His plan was to find work where he could learn each day to improve his English little by little. This would also give him the opportunity to pick up new skills and adapt to the Australian way of life.
Due to the widespread shortage of workers across Australia in the agriculture sector, Nicolas decided this work would help him in many ways and also help Australian growers and farmers.
Nicolas admits at first it was hard to find farm work. He searched the internet, starting with work that was in season, and tried calling farms direct. Hearing about Harvest Trail he made contact with the MADEC Harvest Trail Services office at Renmark in the Riverland of South Australia. That turned out to be good move and he commenced working there at a farm picking oranges. Since then he has had a variety of jobs including pallet stacking, box making, strapping and cleaning machinery.
From the Riverland he travelled to the beautiful Yorke Peninsula in South Australia and applied his skills for Viterra as a ‘tripper operator’ directing wheat to different parts of the silo complex where farmers deliver their grain.
While living on the Yorke Peninsula Nicolas was introduced to swimming with dolphins at Innes National Park – an amazing experience even most Australians have not experienced.
Heading interstate, Nicolas travelled to Maffra in Victoria working in a vegetable packing shed filling crates, stacking and box making. In mid-2021 he is now back in the Riverland and looking forward to work in the next winegrape vintage.
When he finishes in South Australia he then intends to travel to Perth and explore Western Australia. He will seek more agriculture work there and is confident this will assist his English to continue to improve.
Only a couple of years ago Nicolas would not have expected to be doing any of the jobs he has undertaken while in Australia – he is challenging himself every day.
