For most people, speaking English is a skill they take for granted, but for Zhanna Voronkova, becoming fluent in the language has been key to building her new life in Australia.
Zhanna at her Australian Citizenship ceremony in Bairnsdale with Member for Gippsland East Tim Bull, East Gippsland Shire Council Mayor John White and Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.
Recently certified as an Australian citizen, Zhanna knows just how vital language skills are when adapting to life on the other side of the world.
“Thanks to the English classes at TAFE Gippsland, I passed my Citizenship test with flying colours!” said Zhanna.
Originally from Russia, Zhanna worked as a nurse in Moscow before moving to Australia in 2019, with hopes of continuing her career here. However, life took an unexpected turn in August 2023 when her marriage ended and she faced significant personal challenges.
"I found myself alone in a new country, with no family or friends, no job, and my English was still not at the level I needed. I didn’t even have an Australian driver's licence,” Zhanna reflects.
Determined to make a change, Zhanna reached out to the Orange Door for support and enrolled in the AMES program at TAFE Gippsland. This program, designed to help non-English speakers improve their communication skills, became a crucial step forward in her journey.
With her background in nursing, Zhanna’s desire to help others has always been strong. As she looked ahead to her future in Australia, she decided to shift her focus and pursue a Certificate IV in Community Services.
“Helping others has always been emotionally rewarding for me and I knew I could make a difference in this new setting,” Zhanna explains.
Though the path wasn’t easy at first, as she struggled with English fluency and understanding spoken language, Zhanna was determined to overcome these barriers. She dedicated herself to studying academic texts, grammar and vocabulary, using dictionaries to improve her writing.
Zhanna credits her success at TAFE Gippsland to her supportive teachers. Her English teacher, Heather Scott and her community services teacher, Jamie Imlach, were particularly instrumental in her progress.
“Jamie is an incredible teacher and mentor,” Zhanna said.
"He created a classroom environment where every student felt heard and respected. His encouragement and support helped me understand more about community work and the complexities of social issues. The knowledge I’ve gained will guide my future study and work.”
Zhanna’s story is a powerful reminder of resilience, determination and the life-changing role education can play in overcoming adversity. Having successfully completed her Certificate IV in Community Services, she is now continuing her studies with a Diploma of Community Services.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to grow professionally and believe that the skills and knowledge I’m gaining will help me succeed in community services,” Zhanna concluded.