Jorge Ortiz Palma
“Even in the worst situation know you can be victorious”
Jorge Ortiz
Country of Origin: Mexico.
Occupation: Entrepreneur and student. State of Residency: VIC. Favourite place in Australia: Hobart and Riverside in Melbourne. Upon arrival: Surprised that even though Melbourne being one of the most accessible cities for wheelchair users, the tram system is hardly useful for us. The vast majority of the routes do not have stops with accesses. Photo by Léa Cancé.
By Trini Espinosa
Jorge is a licensed unmanned aerial vehicle pilot in Australia and co-founder of SkyMedia Australia, a company that offers solutions in aerial photography and videography as well as photogrammetry and content creation. He is currently a student in the last semester of a master's degree in sustainable tourism from Monash University. He is also a volunteer presenter for Radio Monash and has a weekly show where he promotes Latin American culture and music. Before migrating to Australia, he was one of the forerunners of unmanned aerial vehicles in Mexico, receiving the country's number 42 license. He was the first pilot to legally fly the Chichen Itza archaeological zone with a drone to carry out archaeological research together with the National Institute of Anthropology and History of Mexico.
TELL US YOUR STORY
My story to get to Australia begins in early 2018 when after a long process I got my offer letter from Monash University. The money was not really enough to come, so looking for a scholarship was the only solution and thus began the struggle to obtain 1 of the 15 places that the Mexican Government (CONACYT) granted that year. Still the money was not 100%, so I practically sold my soul to pay the full fee. I arrived in Melbourne in 2019.
Jorge delivering a presentation at the Yucatan University in Mexico.
I am disabled although I do not consider it a limitation for travelling as I have lived in five countries. Getting to Australia was not really very difficult as I had experience living in other English speaking countries; however Melbourne is a bigger city. When I arrived, I realised that the tram network was not easily accessible for a wheelchair. I decided to take a risk and solve my mobility problem with the wheelchair, so I bought an electric skateboard to put my feet up on it, that way I now travel in 8 wheels instead of 4. After several falls I managed to master it and it is currently my main mode of transportation. Once I adjusted better to the city, I started looking for work, which for obvious reasons could not be a waiter or cleaner. Someone once taught me that to open a door you have to knock, so I knocked on many doors to get my first job which was at the Yarra Ranges tourism office. I was a marketing assistant and designed tourist maps. In the meantime, I got my commercial drone flight license and started taking pictures. Many people told me that my photos were very good and that I should sell them or start my own business. I managed to work for Yarra Ranges and at the same time for the real estate sector independently until fate wanted me to meet a person who really motivated me to make this business idea come true. Together we founded SkyMedia Australia. Despite the challenges of starting this business in the midst of the pandemic, the journey has been amazing as I am doing what I love. I believe unconditionally in this project and I know that it will bring us many good things.
I am about to finish my master's degree and I am very proud of what I have done so far in Australia. Thanks to my master's degree, I have been able to meet and travel to some cities such as Sydney and Hobart, although always arriving in a new place and having a tight itinerary is complicated. Fortunately, I have met people who have helped me a lot during these trips and I will always be grateful. I consider that my contribution to Australia is to show that the limits only exist in our minds. I am disabled and I do not consider it a limitation to have been able start making myself known in the things that I love the most in a new country. I may have to try a little harder than most people, but I want this to serve to show my light and inspire anyone who wants to see a motivation in me.
CHALLENGES
Starting from zero - Being in a city where you don't know anyone is difficult, but to me starting from scratch is a motivating feeling.
Specialised roles - I had a little shock when I found out that in the Australian workplace to be able to perform several activities is seen as “you are not good enough” for the job as you are not “expert” in one specific area. I had to specialise in certain activities and adjust my resume accordingly to the position for which I applied.
Starting a business - Having my own business and having to find clients in the midst of the pandemic has been a bit difficult. In addition, approaching new clients here is much more formal than how it is done in Mexico.
Flying over the Great Ocean Road in Victoria Australia.
CONTRASTS & SIMMILARITIES
Mobility - The biggest contrast is public transportation and the mobility that I have living here. In Merida (a city in Mexico) it is practically impossible for me to use buses and only in some Mexican cities I have been able to do so. Here I feel free to move around easily.
Sports - I am a big sports fan, so I have been to events. I have noticed that all the footy contrasts with everything I had known. The sport itself is different but also the way it is lived from the stands. Although is something passionate, the passion manifests itself very differently in comparison to Europe and Latin America.
Family values - I believe that a similar value that I have found in the Australian friends that I have is the family. They have lunch or dinner at least once a week, they travel together, they attend sports and do activities like I used to do it with my family when I was in Mexico.
PIECE OF ADVICE
Mobility - Keep in mind that despite the fact that Australia is one of the best adapted countries in the world for people with a disability, it is a very large country; and therefore its transport system is huge as well and not all of it is well suited for disable people. Think that you might encounter some architectural obstacles but nothing impossible to overcome; and if it is too complicated for you, there will always be someone to kindly help you.
Follow your dreams - Be honest with yourself and work really, really hard. Difficult things are done by almost anyone, very few of those things are impossible.
Keep moving - I am sure you have encountered previous challenging situations in your life and now you are here. Even in the worst situation, know you can be victorious.
Jorge in Melbourne. Photo by Laura Alicia @fotografaau
IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS…
Jorge sees himself with a very successful business living comfortably in this beautiful country. He will continue doing the podcast and will maybe diversify the business with a drone academy. He expects to work for the tourism industry in Australia and at the same time continue developing SkyMedia.