A SALE family are enjoying their newfound certainty after husband and father Gagandeep Singh was granted permanent residency, ending a four-year battle to stay in Australia.
Gagandeep, who runs a trucking business in Gippsland, became a permanent resident last month after almost a year on a pathway to a permanent partner visa.
The Gippsland Times first broke the story in April 2022 that Gagandeep, also known as Gavy, was near the end of the line with his bridging visa. Unless it was extended or a new visa was given, Gagandeep would be forced to leave Australia and go back to India, separating him from his wife Phoebe and their five-year-old son Jarro, who live together in Sale.
Just 12 months ago, Gagandeep was stuck in limbo as various visas were given and denied, and decisions delayed. On May 13, Gagandeep finally became a permanent resident.
He was emotional knowing this saga had truly come to an end, and he could continue living in Sale and focus on his family life and business.
“I’m really grateful (to) everybody who helped us out,” Gagandeep told the Gippsland Times last week.
“It’s such a relief. I don’t have to stress about everything.”
Phoebe is doing “very well” with her mental health, which had been negatively affected by the immigration battle.
“It’s amazing what 12 months can do,” Phoebe said.
Knowing he can stay in Australia permanently means that Gagandeep has been able to expand his business with new trucks and employees as he works on the upgrade of Morwell station. When he was facing the prospect of being forced to leave the country, he had to downsize the business, sell his trucks and work with fewer employees.
“I couldn’t do anything before. I had no idea what was around the corner,” he said.
“I’m getting another truck in a couple of weeks, and have five employees.”
He wants to employ Gippslanders and is retraining a paper mill worker who recently lost their job following the closure of the Maryvale plant in the Latrobe Valley.
Phoebe and Gagandeep’s young son Jarro did not understand what was happening; all he knew was that he just wanted to be a truck driver like his dad. Jarro is possibly the biggest Super Mario fan in Wellington, having watched The Super Mario Bros. Movie at the cinemas five times.
It’s doing the small things most take for granted, like going to the park or the movies with Jarro, that Gagandeep and Phoebe treasure the most.
“I’m really grateful that I’m here for him. He loves his daddy,” Gagandeep said.
Gagandeep wants to take the family on a long holiday around Australia, or go to Japan or India. In the meantime, he said he’s enjoying living in Sale.
“I love the country, love the community. Everybody is helpful. It’s very peaceful in Sale.”
