MILTON READY TO SPIN A WAY DOWN TO OZ

Milton Westcarr has never been to Australia, yet he's desperate to emigrate. Christine Miles heard his story.

"Traumatic and exciting," is how Milton Westcarr sums up his experience of the emigration process. It's a description, which is no doubt shared by many other hopeful migrants.

Milton's desire for a fresh start in the Lucky Country grew out of the trauma of going through a divorce. Now the 35-year-old from Gloucester, is keeping his fingers crossed for a fresh start Down Under.

With a sister in Australia and a long- held desire to visit the country, when his marriage broke up Milton contacted various companies, dealing with emigration to Australia , including a number of migration consultants.

In November 1998 Milton 's chances of migrating as an Independent (now called Skilled Independent) applicant, was assessed by three different agencies. "I was told that they didn't think that my present job as a computer technician would accumulate enough points to reach the pass mark," Milton recalled. He was devastated.

But then, in January 1999, his luck changed for the better. The house he had shared with his ex-wife was sold and Milton decided to have another stab at carving out a new future for himself in Oz.

This time he contacted Helen Burnard at Cooper Lancaster Brewers. After detailed discussions it was decided that he could submit an application after all. "Helen assessed me as skilled Mechanical Engineer Technician and said that I would reach the pass mark, due to my craft apprenticeship and 14 years post-work experience. She said that Mechanical Fitters were in big demand throughout Australia , so my faith was fully restored after my initial rejections."

Collecting the relevant trade references from the numerous jobs he'd had proved "rather daunting" says Milton . "Some companies I worked for no longer existed," an experience, which is not uncommon among would-be migrants, especially trades people.

Milton's saving grace, however was that he'd saved every payslip he'd ever received since 1980. With these slips "I was able to prove that I had a continuous employment record," Said Milton.

In February, Milton sent off for his police clearance certificate and was amazed to receive this back in just seven days. He completed the application form and collected all the supporting documents, including all the necessary proof of his training and qualifications: a City and Guilds in Mechanical Engineering; Electronic Servicing; Electrical Installation and two Diplomas in TV, Video and Hi-Fi Servicing and Computer Repair. "I knew these would come in handy one day," joked Milton.

While obtaining his bank draft for the application assessment fee, Milton couldn't help but research his choice further. "The bank cashier had just returned from a holiday in Oz and a large queue formed behind me as she told me all about."

Soon after sending off the completed application, Milton received a Trades Recognition application form and was informed that for the purposes of migration he would be assessed as a 'Fitter Mechanic.'

Shortly afterwards, Milton received another letter from the Australian Consulate in Manchester requesting that he send three job references detailing job descriptions and experience, as well as dates of employment.

At the same time, the application form for TRA skills assessment needed to be sent off- and unfortunately, in all the exchange of papers, Milton posted all the information requested by Manchester with his skills assessment! "It's ok now; I've sent them the information they needed, but it was a silly mistake. To be honest, I found some of the information a bit unclear. It wasn't until Manchester wrote to me saying they hadn't received anything that I realized I'd sent the references to the wrong place."

On June 2nd the day Milton received his Decree Absolute signaling the legal end of his marriage, he also received his skills assessment from Trades Recognition Australia. They classed me as a 'Fitter' hooray!"

Although Milton says he has had to do much of the chasing up of documents and the research himself, he is glad he chose to use a migration consultant. "I might not have realized that I could have got in otherwise," he says,

Milton had his medicals in mid June. "I've been told that if there's a problem with your medical they get in touch immediately, so I'm hoping everything is okay. I'm just waiting for the visa now," he says optimistically.

Although his sister lives in Sydney , Milton is hoping to live in Adelaide. A chat with Katrina Nicholson from State Development South Australia at Outbound's emigration show, Emigrate 99, was enough to make him think seriously about relocating to the state. " I've learnt that 40% of migrants move to Sydney , but there are other places equally as good. While Sydney seems the in place to go, it is very expensive. Adelaide is much cheaper and very welcoming. In Sydney they don't want new people. Milton also admits that previously he thought Adelaide was "a bit of a backwater" but adds, "I've since found out that that's not the case at all, it's very developed. They have a lot of technology parks and a defence industry which is where I have a good chance of finding work."

South Australia run a 'meet and greet' service to ease migrants into the Aussie way of life. As part of this service migrants can obtain access to special accommodation for the first three months. "The Meet and Greet swung it for me. You pay cheap rent and get a decent amount of time to find your own place. They provide help with sorting out Medicare and everything."

As part of the same service people interested in living in the state are sent a comprehensive information pack, giving plenty of information on job agencies, cost of living, housing and tourism brochures.

Adelaide's location confirmed his choice. "I'm an outdoor person really. Living in Gloucester I go to the Cotswold Hills a lot. Adelaide has the Adelaide Hills.

"I love cycling and Adelaide has a cycle path right through the city centre. One way it leads to the beach the other way to the hills." Adelaide also has a good selection of nightclubs, says Milton , which is really important to him.

In the UK Milton is part of a three-man DJ outfit called 'Jah Trinity Outanational' Sound System. He plays Roots Reggae and Dub style music in some of the UK's main club venues in London, Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham as well as Cheltenham and his hometown of Gloucester.

"It's going to be sad selling my reggae sound system. I bought it when I was 16 and have built it up over the years. In fact I'm leaving a lot of things that are close to me! I have 2 boys one aged 9 and one aged 12 and I'm leaving them too".

Milton has never even been on holiday Down Under. "Some people are saying me going to Australia is a knee-jerk-reaction, but I have wanted to go there for such a long time. A while ago I was clearing out the attic and I found a load of old brochures from 1992 on Australia and New Zealand.

Milton adds that reading other people's migration stories in Australian News, has been a real help to him. "It's difficult to speak to people in the same position as you. You can identify with their stories and learn things from other people's experiences."

On Yer bike!

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