Newcomers learn the lingo

Natalia Muszkat and her son Lucas Beard, 4, are proud Aussies.

Brett Mcwaters

NATALIA Muszkat, who is originally from Argentina, moved to Australia in 1999.

Here, she met her husband, who emigrated from England as a boy with his family.

Ms Muszkat jokes she had trouble understanding her husband when they first met.

"I think it took me five years to understand him. He used to say 'she's apples mate'." (Meaning 'it's all sweet').

Ms Muszkat's story is familiar with plenty of adopted Australians nationwide, but she has come to understand the Aussie way of life.

"Australia is my home. My kids are Australian and I got most of my professional knowledge here."

In 2010, Ms Muszkat and other Gladstone locals created the multicultural group Welcoming International Neighbours.

The group organises functions and forums for people not originally from Australia, which helps them understand the culture and language. For her work, Ms Muszkat is nominated for the Senior Cultural Award in Gladstone's Australia Day Awards and an event WIN held has also been nominated for Community Event of the Year.

When Ms Muszkat first came to Australia she said everything was new.

"Everyone is really tall. We're not as tall. Things like the fact that there's so many people from so many different countries as well. There's people from everywhere. In Argentina it's mainly just the surrounding countries. A lot of different religions here as well.

"I lived most of my life on the 11th floor. When I came here I wanted to have a house. It's seems like it's the other way round here, grow up in houses, when they move away, they go to an apartment."

Ms Muszkat often comes across many amusing scenarios from the non-locals she deals with.

"English people have problems. The Americans, they find it really hard to be understood, because of their accent," she said.

"The other day, a new lady (in the group) was telling me she went to supermarket and went through it 10 times. That was until she realised we don't sell alcohol in supermarket.

"Stubbies, middies, tallies. Everything has a nickname for it!

"The other funny thing is the changes from state to state, pool rules change!"

See WIN's stall at the Millenium Esplanade celebrations from 4pm.