For these families from war-torn Ukraine, the rolling hills of Orange and its surrounds in the central west of New South Wales could be an ideal balm, with plentiful employment, thriving towns, and a choice of good schools for children.
"Orange is a little jewel in terms of its natural resources, and in terms of its community," Philippa Waters, a teacher at James Sheahan Catholic High School, said.
The only problem is accommodation — the vacancy rate in the area is less than 1 per cent.
So local residents are temporarily housing refugees in their own homes.
"Even the emergency housing is full, so we have to be creative," Ms Waters said.
"It felt [like] the right thing to do; I didn't really think about it, it was just an instant gut reaction to do something.
"And I knew that I could cope with it and we could cope with having extra people in our lives.
"And so each of us in my network of friends, we are all doing what we can to accommodate families and make connections, find them work in the area and look after the children, and make sure we can give them some of the benefit of living regionally.
"Someone's donated a car today ... there's a food roster that will take us up to the end of Christmas."
Long-term solution in the works
With 11 Ukrainians in the region already and more on the way, local community groups have had urgent discussions about the housing problem.
Father Greg Bellamy from the local Catholic parish came up with an offer the community has seized on — the old convent in the nearby town of Molong.
"We were not quite sure what to do with it," Assistant Priest Karl Sinclair said.
"Then Pip came to us talking about refugees coming to the Orange region ... and then Fr Greg Bellamy, it occurred to him and he said, 'Hang on, we have a building sitting empty in Molong, surely that can be of use.'"
Community organisations have volunteered and are raising funds to refurbish the convent's bedrooms, kitchen, and bathrooms.
"It was just over two-and-a-half weeks ago that the first conversation took place, it was two days later that the first meeting took place, two subsequent meetings, and lots of chats," Fr Sinclair said.
"It's been a fast response to meet this need, with a goal of having it ready in a month-and-a-half."
Principal Matthew French from St Joseph's Catholic Primary School in Molong said the children were beyond excited to be involved.
"The response has been absolutely incredible," he said.
"The kids are all over it.
"Molong will be the type of place that will smother our people with love. The community here is amazing."
Finding a home in the regions
More than 4,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Australia since Russia invaded Ukraine in February.
Olha Lyeskakova, founder of JobEntry, has organised tours of Orange and Cowra to sell the benefits of the region's lifestyle to refugees.
"Most of them are choosing to live in the city, close to established friends and relatives," she said.
"When we organised a regional introductory tour for Ukrainians to the Central West, people started understanding that it's good. It has all the basics they need and the infrastructure they need."
Alex Volodin and his family were the first Ukrainian refugees to settle in the area, and he has secured employment at the mechanical engineering company PJL Group.
"In Orange, it's good," he said.
"It [has] very good opportunities for everyone. Sydney, it's [a] good city, but for me, better Orange."
A number of other businesses, including restaurant Tonic in the village of Millthorpe, have offered work, and more are needed.
Dmytro Bushuyev arrived from Ukraine on a three-month tourist visa, just after the Australian government's offer of Temporary Humanitarian Stay ended on July 31.
"I want to thank you for having us here," he said.
"And I know that a lot of people who have never seen us before, undertook a huge effort to bring us here."
However, he is concerned about whether he will be able to stay longer term, especially as his partner and her children arrived prior to the cut-off.
"The Australian Government says that they will continue supporting Ukrainians with bridging visas and protection visas," he said.
"But as I got the information, it is quite hard to obtain this type of visa. And actually, this is a desperate situation."
A spokesperson for the Department of Immigration said Ukrainian visas are being processed as a priority.
"The Australian government is committed to ensuring that Ukrainians, both in and outside of Australia, can continue to reside in the Australian community with access to work, health, education, and visa support services," the department said.
But for now, families like Dmytro Bushuyev's and Alex Volodin's are grateful to have found a warm and welcoming community in Central West NSW.
"I hope I stay here and my family stay here in Orange in Australia, and I hope war in my country [is] finished," Mr Volodin said.
