First Day: "I was surprised by the low building architecture"

In 1992 Grace Otrebka arrived to Australia with her family. From the very first day the friendliness of the hostel staff made them think they could make it in this country.

Grace in SBS Sydney, 2016. Source: RIchard Gurney

Grace Otrebka and her family arrived in Australia from Poland in 1992. A bus picked them up from the airport and they were driven to a hostel in Villawood.

"The friendliness of the staff at the hostel was amazing. We felt then we will make it in this country and I think we've made it."

On her way from the airport to the hostel, Grace was surprised by the architecture and the citrus trees.

"I was suprised by the low-building architecture. I expected more high rise buildings whereas what we saw was fibre houses that I had never seen before in my life". "I was taken aback to see a citrus tree. It was the first time in my life I saw a tree full of lemons."

Arriving to Perth. Source: Provided by Grace Otrebka

#FirstDaySBS

Grace Otrebka and partner in Australia Source: Provided by Grace Otrebka

Grace relative. Source: Provided by Grace Otrebka