Apajok Abit had made the remarkable and harrowing journey to Australia from her war-torn home in southern Sudan via a refugee camp in Egypt. The mother of five was making a new life in suburban Melbourne. But something fundamental was missing.

Like many new arrivals, she was dependent on government welfare. Yet that was not the life she wanted to create in her new home.

Apajok Abit (left) and Abiol Manyang get a few pointers from Chef Jamie Haste at the Flemington racecourse kitchen where they work part time. Credit:Michael Clayton-Jones

She wanted to work. ‘‘It’s important,’’ Ms Abit said. ‘‘I need my children to have a good education in the future. I also need to live in a good place, I need to pay my bills ... You need to work. I don’t want to be at home and waiting for the Centrelink money.’’

Among the many challenges facing refugees finding work comes near the top of the list. Sometimes there needs to be a helping hand. In Ms Abit’s case it was an innovative program run by the United Voice union, which has members in industries such as hospitality and cleaning.