Motivation
From Northern
Uganda To Rural
Australia
A young
migrant’s story
u PAUL AYELLA’S STORY BEGINS
IN WAR-TORN Northern Uganda where
By Paul Ayella,
Geraldton Grammar
he was born more than 16 years ago.
student
Though he was not directly affected because his parents worked and lived in the
largest hospital in the region, numerous members of his extended family
suffered during the 20-year long civil conflict. Many of them lived in the
mud-grass thatched huts located in one of the 26 camps for internally-displaced people scattered across the region. Paul was more fortunate
than most, as he was able to go to school, he had a loving family, access
to health care and a fair standard of living.
Having become a permanent resident in 2012 and an Australian citizen
in 2013, Paul now goes to school at Geraldton Grammar, which is located
420 km north of Perth. He studies Maths Specialist and Methods, Physics,
Computer Science and ATAR English, and wants to be a pilot when he
completes his high school education.
As a step towards this dream, Paul joined the Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC), which is administered and actively supported by the Royal
Australian Air Force (RAAF), and plans to join the RAAF after year 12.
Although his membership of the AAFC doesn’t guarantee him a place
in the RAAF, it has given him an idea of what it will be like in the military.
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He now holds the position of Cadet Corporal and has completed basic
training and proficiency training, as well as General Service Training (GST)
and the Cadet Junior Non-Commissioned Officer Course (JNCO) – both at
RAAF Pearce Air Force Base, which is the largest Air Force base in Western
Australia.
Participating in the AAFC has encouraged him to develop leadership
skills and a stronger sense of responsibility. He has also had the opportunity to take part in community events such as ANZAC Day celebrations in
Geraldton and Dongara. Paul has learned about aviation, radio communications, drill and ceremonial requirements, and survival techniques. He
has also been taught the importance of chain of command, community
service, and the wars that Australia has fought. He has an unwavering
appreciation of his adopted country and truly understands the importance
of responsibility, hard work and playing one’s part.
Being in the AAFC has exposed Paul to a range of opportunities. Recently, he applied for and successfully obtained sponsorship from the local
Geraldton RSL to travel to Thailand and visit Hellfire Pass and the Thai-Burma Railway. Forced under terrible conditions by their Japanese captors to
build the railway, these brave soldiers of WWII died in their masses.
Paul, along with two other high school students, will be the first ever pupils sponsored by the Geraldton RSL for a trip of this nature. Now
he will be able to go to the site of this terrible event to reflect on what
defines Australia and the sacrifices that all veterans have made for this
country.
Importantly, this journey will also help him strengthen his sense of responsibility and develop a stronger feeling of purpose, self-esteem, confidence, self-discipline and self-reliance, as well as encourage him to further participate in the Australian community. This will be of benefit to
him, but also the society in which he lives, as he will continue to give back
to his new country and ultimately, his experiences will help him better
navigate through his future workplace.
Along his journey so far, Paul has learned an important life skill. In order to achieve his ultimate goal (the Air Force) he has to start small and
gradually progress with persistence and resilience (Air Force Cadets). He
has learned that good things don’t just happen; it’s about preparation
and choices, and by starting with several small steps, he can achieve great
things.