Australian Refugee Association's Zimala project wins Tackling Ageism award from SA government

But the tale he tells of moving from his native Syria to Australia is hard to listen to. With no support on the ground, agencies including the Australian Refugee Association (ARA) - which won a state government award for its services - have helped his family with adjusting to local life.

"Since I've come to Australia and found these services, I feel like I live among my parents - I feel supported and safe. But I miss my homeland," John said.

The 65-year-old is married and has two children, was a talented jeweller and has a strong Christian faith.

Living in Aleppo - Syria's second-largest city - the native Arabic speaker had always dreamed of living in Australia and applied to move Down Under 15 times as a migrant, but was always knocked back. As pro-democracy protests in 2011 in their homeland became violent, the family fled to neighbouring Jordan as refugees, particularly on medical grounds as John's son was diabetic.

The United Nations picked up the Simons' case and sent them to Australia - the family didn't get to choose which country they went to. On top of that, a host country then decides whether to accept or reject a refugee. Thankfully, Australia let John's family in. While John got his wish, the way it came about was less than ideal and it's the social gap that's been the toughest.

The Commonwealth's Department of Home Affairs has a Settlement Engagement and Transition Support program, which provides people with settlement-related information, advice, advocacy, and help to access mainstream and other relevant services, like ARA.

"Such support organisations have helped by providing people who speak the language, understand the culture, and take responsibility to advocate for the family and others to receive the best care they can when they come here without any knowledge about the culture, language or community," John said.

ARA was able to help the family settle into Australia, helping with health, education, housing and social support.

Today, John's son and daughter are both at university, and he and his wife go to church every Sunday. While he'd like to set up his own jewellery store, his own ailing health and not having the connections and upstart funds to make it happen have been big barriers. Make no mistake, they're grateful to be in safety and freedom, but the social isolation of not having connections here has been tough.

"If I have worries about my health or family, I can't talk to my family about it. I miss not being able to talk to a close friend to vent or seek advice," John said.

"Life is not eating and drinking and getting a car or a house, it's about bringing life into your life.

"Australia has a beautiful nature like Heaven, but I can't feel it; I can't trade that with what I felt in my previous life."

ARA runs the Zimala Project, which means 'fellowship' in Arabic. The project has supported more than 100 men aged 50 and over with Syrian, Afghani, Hazara, Pashtun, and African refugee and migrant backgrounds to stave off loneliness, form connections and stay engaged in the community through cultural and social experiences, which has included trips to parks, gardens, the beach and fishing. It also helped to empower the participants to share their wisdom, knowledge, and experiences despite varying cultural, social and economic backgrounds.

It received the state government's Office for Ageing Well Tackling Ageism Award. The program is currently on hiatus while it seeks funding.

For more information visit australianrefugee.org