A New Chapter: The Folkards' Journey from South Africa to Australia
Dominic and Elmarie Folkard found themselves contemplating a new chapter in their lives. They were living in South Africa, where Dominic worked as a millwright, someone skilled in the maintenance of machinery, and Elmarie was a teacher. Despite their fulfilling careers, there was a persistent feeling that something was missing. So they started to dream about a future beyond the familiar borders of their homeland. Little did they know how quickly that dream would become a reality.
Discovering the Path to Australia
Their journey began with a simple online search. Elmarie stumbled upon New World Immigration one day in July 2022. She sent out an email, expressing their interest in making Australia their new home. "Hey Sean, I've seen a couple of your things online. Are you able to spend some time to walk us through the journey?" Elmarie recalled. That initial connection was the beginning of a life-changing journey for the Folkard family.
The idea of moving wasn’t entirely new to them. Dominic had once been offered a position in Australia on a sponsored visa, but the logistics of uprooting their lives posed a significant challenge. Their biggest concern, according to Elmarie, was the rush, having to sell their house hurriedly and possibly splitting the family just to make the move work. But with New World Immigration, there came a sense of calm and clarity. They wouldn’t have to fracture their family or face a chaotic relocation.
The Journey to PR Status
Working with New World Immigration, the Folkards began their application for Permanent Residency (PR) in Australia. This was a critical decision. Attaining PR status meant they could settle in as a complete family unit rather than dealing with the strain of being separated by oceans. The process itself, though packed with paperwork and the pressure of potential mistakes leading to a denied application, felt manageable with guidance. "Having New World on board made the experience seamless," Elmarie admitted.
While the paperwork was a challenge, the help provided was invaluable. The Folkards found that every piece of documentation fell into place with the careful oversight of the team at New World Immigration. It was a structured approach, unlike anything they had encountered in South Africa, where they often felt systems were too rigid and standardized.
Landing and Embracing a New Life in Perth
When Dominic and Elmarie touched down in Perth, they were amazed at how effortless everything felt. Unlike other newcomers who arrived without the immediate support of loved ones, they were blessed to join an already established family network in the region. Dominic’s grandmother’s sister and her entire family, along with Elmarie's relatives, had transplanted their lives from South Africa to Australia years prior. Suddenly, not only were they in a new country, but they were surrounded by 40 to 45 familiar faces.
The sense of welcome and comfort was immediate and profound. “We basically hit the ground running,” Dominic shared, talking about how well they integrated into life down under. This included celebrations marked by familial warmth, as their extended family reunited for occasions, and the family home would be bustling with chatter and laughter, filled with the scents of shared meals.
Building a New Career Path
Dominic found himself immersed in a refreshing professional landscape. He started working as an electrician—a role he found both challenging and rewarding. Although there were fewer South African tradespeople around, Dominic embraced the cultural exchange with his Australian colleagues. "Most of the guys just stay working as a sparky because that's more than enough," he reflected, appreciating the opportunities that his new job presented.
Though his initial role involved working away from home for weeks at a time—a reality which could be tough—the foresight of securing a steady job before the move made all the difference. Leaving family behind while he worked wasn’t ideal, but as Dominic noted, it was “worth it if you're thinking of building a future for your family.”
Painting a Picture of Their New Life
Now firmly rooted in Australia, the Folkards are thriving. They frequently talk about the quality of life, the effectiveness of systems, and how crucial planning and wise decisions—such as choosing PR over a rushed move—shaped their experience. Perth, in all its diverse community spirit and natural beauty, has become their sanctuary, a far stretch from the adversity they faced back in South Africa.
What’s notable is their change in lifestyle. The pressures that cooked back home now feel distant. "I think most South Africans drink because of the rough and tough times we have there," Dominic quipped, noting how the challenges of their old life gave way to a more serene existence where such stress relievers weren't as necessary.
Yet through it all, the Folkards feel deep gratitude for the journey they embarked on. Each choice, each signature on the paperwork, now resonates with the contentment they experience daily. With family dotting the Aussie landscape and careers that continue to blossom, their world in Perth is not just new but filled with promise and warmth—a true continuation of their story on foreign soil.