A registered letter delivered to Afghan refugee Hussain Ali Muradi this week contained the document he'd waited four years to obtain: his permanent residency visa.
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Persecuted by the Taliban, Mr Muradi fled his home in Ghazni Afghanistan four years ago, making his way to Australia by plane and boat.
"I was one of the boat people," a delighted Mr Muradi said at the home of his friends Bob and Gwen Young this week.
Originally one of about 50 Afghan refugees working at Fletcher's abattoir last year, Mr Muradi left Dubbo when the drought forced the company to retrench most of its casual staff.
After leaving Dubbo, Mr Muradi went to Brisbane where he secured employment at another meatworks.
Initially, Mr Muradi was given a three-year temporary protection visa when he arrived by boat from Indonesia in December 2000.
The temporary visa expired in February 2003 after which Mr Muradi applied for permanent protection.
That involved further interviews with the Department of Immigration and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA).
He also had to undergo further police checks to verify his refugee status.
Mr Young said Australia was the only western country where refugees had to prove their bona fides twice.
"After arriving by boat at Darwin, Mr Muradi spent a month in detention at Woomera and was cleared and granted a temporary visa," Mr Young said.
"Three years later when the federal government wanted to send him back to Afghanistan he had to go through another round of police checks and interviews with DIMIA.
"They wanted to send him and all the other Afghan refugees back, and would have succeed had it not been for the overwhelming public support.
"The government could hardly argue these people were a threat to Australia when so many Australians wanted them to stay."
Mr Muradi thanked the Youngs and everyone who helped him gain permanent residency.
"I have received so much support, from the Youngs, the Fletchers and everyone in the community and for that I am very thankful," he said.
"Now that I have my life back I can plan for my future and try to get my wife out of Afghanistan."
Mr Muradi, 25, had to leave his wife when he fled Afghanistan and will now apply to bring her to Australia.
"I will make an application as a sponsor and try to get my wife out here," he said.
"Dubbo is a very good place, it has been very good to me and I hope to be able to give something back as a member of the Australian community."
Mr Muradi was invited back to Fletcher's abattoir and was offered permanent work when the second shift started again earlier this year.
Mr and Mrs Young said they feel more confident the other 16 Afghan refugees in Dubbo will have their applications for permanent residency approved following mr Muradi's success.
