Winston, 54
Born in Bridgetown, Barbados
Came to Australia in July 2016
What is your occupation?
I’m an ICT (Information Communications Technology) Program Manager so I manage programs and projects as well as strategic planning. I do mostly contract work but starting from tomorrow, I will be working for ServiceNow. I’ll be based in Sydney but I’ll be doing projects across the APAC region.
I studied a Bachelors of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine in Trinidad & Tobago. I actually wanted to do Robotics Engineering but there weren’t many universities offering this at the time, as it was a very new field. I am also PMP (Project Management Professionals), CMS (Change Management Specialist), Lean Six Sigma certified and am also a Six Sigma Back Belt.
I was actually very close to joining the French Foreign Legion; I am a student of history and am passionate about the military.
Why did you come to Australia?
My now ex-wife secured her dream job at the University of Melbourne as an Instructional Design and Assistant Lecturer. She has a PhD in Education Technology. At the time, I was working for SAP and I was the first Project Lead from my team based in Australia. She later secured a job in Sydney which also helped facilitate our permanent residency.
All in all, I didn’t take the advice that I was sacrificing too much for her. There were job opportunities that I had to turn down, including managing global projects with Dell in the US. She didn’t want to move to wherever I got job opportunities, but we would always end up moving to wherever she went to study or had job offers. We’ve moved to Missouri, Pennsylvania, Melbourne and now Sydney. The reasons I’m still in Sydney are because my daughter is here so that I am an active part of her life and the opportunities to rebuild my life from where I was 24 months ago. My daughter Gabby, she’s only 10 years old and is the best thing to ever happen. There is an ongoing family court case regarding her custody and parenting.
What do you like about Sydney?
Sydney is a lot safer than other places I’ve lived in, (but I like Melbourne more). this new including the US and one place in the West Indies. You’re not worried about someone potentially drawing a gun and killing you.
The level of social services is impeccable such as Medicare. Support agencies such CatholicCare, Dignity Housing and Link2Home helped me get on my feet when I was homeless and in need of emergency housing. Furthermore, there are many job opportunities to be had here once you believe in yourself and have the skills.
There is so much to learn about Australia. When I arrived here, I only then appreciated how big the country is. It’s literally bigger than the contiguous USA. It’s a country of extremes and many experiences. I have gotten to see and will see places that I never dreamed I would get to see.
What don’t you like about Sydney?
Little access to West Indian food and it is challenging and expensive to travel home. We are taking anywhere between 32 - 45 hrs. of travelling. Besides being expensive, people here are rather unfriendly. It’s difficult to make friends and people are very cliquish, especially compared to Melbourne. It’s not as diverse as people think or as welcoming to people of colour.
I’ve had bottles thrown at me and been cussed out several times (N-word). I’ve experienced interviews where interviewers have said “You have a great resume for someone of your background.” My professional qualifications and experience have been blatantly questioned and I have been told by recruiters to eliminate anything on my resume that alludes to the fact that I wasn’t born and raised in Australia because it makes it easier to get a foot in the door for a job.
Australians hide their heads in the sand when it comes to institutional racism. Sure, it is multicultural but it isn’t diverse. I wouldn’t say it’s really multicultural either as people tend to stick with their own group.
What would you like to say to Sydneysiders?
Be more open and friendly to people of other backgrounds. Don’t form your opinions about other people’s backgrounds from what you see/hear in the news or what your traditional perceptions/biases are. Truly embrace what diversity means not just in words but actions. We can all learn a lot from interacting with one other.
What languages do you speak?
English, little French, little Spanish
At school in Barbados, it is common to learn a bit of French and/or Spanish. I really want to be able to speak another language fluently one day. I have Rosetta Stone so hopefully I can make a start there.
Teach us one word/phrase from your native language/dialect.
Cheese on bread
This means “Wow.”
Wuh gine on famalee!
This means “How are you going?”
What is one thing you want us to know about your native country?
Barbados is where rum was invented and we have some of the best rums in this world: Mount Gay, Plantations and Doorly’s are some of the most famous Barbados brands of rum. These are rums that are supposed to be drunk neat or with ice. You don’t use them in cocktails.
We were once known as “Little England” as we were the first overseas British colony. We became a republic last year in a lavish ceremony.
There is a difference between the Caribbean and West Indies. The Caribbean is a region (still somewhat debatable, since we consider Puerto Rico as American and not part of the Caribbean), whereas the West Indies is the group of countries part of the CARICOM community.
Barbados has some of the best beaches in the world. I recommend Brighton Beach or Sandy Lane Beach and the Crop Over festival which is held annually, where you will more than likely get to see Rihanna at Kadooment. Oistins Fish Fry is also a popular event on Fridays at Oistins.
Who is the most famous person in your native country?
Rihanna
She’s literally one of recent our national heroes. Everyone knows who Rihanna is
Sir Garfield Sobers
He is one of the best cricketers to have ever played. I met him once and he is a very magnanimous and friendly individual.
What is the best dish in your native country?
I love sea egg (sea urchin), pudding and souse, cassava pone and cou cou & flying fish. Cou cou and flying fish is Barbados’ national dish; it is somewhat similar to polenta or grits but it is made with cornmeal and okra.
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