Cristy Ponce Abela

“MAYBE HEARTS GROW BIGGER WHEN LOVE CROSSES OCEANS — AND LEARNS TO CALL MORE THAN ONE PLACE HOME”

Cristy Ponce Abela

Occupation: Stakeholder Engagement and Policy Adviser

State of Residency: Victoria

Favourite place in Australia: Peninsula hot springs

Upon arrival: Shocked by Melbourne’s weather

Story edited by Lucy Coulson and digital edition by Johany Ortiz

Cristy Ponce Abela is the co-founder of Latin Stories Australia, a Policy and Engagement Adviser for the Victorian Government, and a Victorian Multicultural Honour Roll Inductee (2025). Known as a natural connector — generous, helpful, and often recognisable for wearing several layers even in summer — Cristy has dedicated much of her life in Australia to building bridges between communities. Through Latin Stories Australia, an award-winning charity she co-created with Trini Abascal, she has helped create a space where Latin American migrants can find help, hope, visibility, and connection, while also contributing to public policy and community outcomes through her work in government. She lives in Victoria, loves the Mornington and Bellarine Peninsula, and counts her family — including one very special little Australian/Mexican boy — as her greatest achievement.

TELL US YOUR STORY

I arrived in Australia in 2011 to undertake a Master of Environment at the University of Melbourne, after spending four years working at CEMEX as a Chemical Engineer in the energy and planning departments of both the global and Mexican headquarters. While my career was progressing, I felt a strong pull to understand sustainability and long-term policy decision-making and also a break from working super long hours.

I came as a permanent resident, at a time when Chemical Engineering was at the top of the list of skills in demand. I arrived knowing no one and only had one contact through my friend Lou Salinas who had previously lived in Australia. Through her generosity, I met people who were willing to have coffee with me, offer advice, and help me find my feet during those first weeks. Those early connections made an unfamiliar place feel open and welcoming.

Australia was to become home faster than I could have imagined as just 21 days after arriving, I met my now husband Christian. Over time, we built an Aussie–Mexican household, one where cultures are lived every day rather than explained. Our son is bilingual, equally enthusiastic about quesadillas and black beans or vegemite on toast and fairy bread. This lived experience has deeply shaped my understanding of belonging and identity.

Professionally, I found my first role in Australia through a recruiter, starting in the VEU program at the Essential Services Commission, where my background in carbon credits was highly relevant. It was an entry-level role, and like many migrants, I had to prove myself again. It took a couple of years of persistence, learning, and consistency to demonstrate that I could take on greater responsibility.

I was fortunate to later move across to the water team, where I have now worked for more than ten years across a range of projects. Over that time, my career has evolved alongside my interests, with a strong focus on engagement — now my key area of expertise. This work has allowed me to bring together technical knowledge, policy awareness, and a deep respect for lived experience, particularly when working with communities and stakeholders.

After the first couple of years in Australia, I began to feel that people that I worked with or met didn’t fully understand or appreciate where I came from. In search of familiarity and connection, I gravitated towards Latin American networks in Melbourne, where shared language, humour and cultural reference points offered a sense of grounding. There, I met remarkable people whose achievements, hard work and contributions were extraordinary, yet largely unseen and untold—stories no one knew simply because no one was telling them.

During a holiday (where one gets time to think), I had the idea to start a blog about Mexicans living in Melbourne. I thought it would be a better project to do it with a partner so I presented the project to my clever friend Trini Abascal who luckily said YES! but suggested we broaden our reach to Latin Americans living all over Australia. Over time, the blog evolved from publishing personal inspiring journeys to projects that support our Latin American communities living in Australia via our not for profit Latin Stories Australia.

Contribution to society has always been central to my journey. Watching my parents’ involvement in Rotary International and their charity work quietly planted in me the belief that helping others, whenever you can, is simply part of life. Its of my greatest joys to see how through Latin Stories Australia Trini and I have worked to amplify Latin American migrant voices and created spaces and projects to support our community in important areas like Family violence prevention with La Sobremesa board games project and the mental health directory with all the Spanish speaking mental health professionals we know of.

Moni, Cristy & Aida

Life is really busy at the moment trying to balance work, family responsibilities, kids endless b day parties and Latin Stories. There are days where its just too much but I have been fortunate enough to connect with friends that feel like sunshine because you know you can trust them and they are there for you. Thank you to my besties Trini and Monica for your help with LSA and in life, Thank you Parissa and Birva for your guidance at school and so many fun weekends, Thank you Emma and Twisha for your kindness as we navigated Prep and basketball. Thank you Aida, Vonnie and Vanessa for being the best nurses on call, Thank you aunties Tanja, Danni, Amanda and Michelle for our treasured cousin time. Thank you to my sister for caring for my parents with such love. Thank you Christian Abela for this 14 years of adventures. Last but not least a big thank you to ALL the volunteers and interns that have stepped in during the year to support us in the different projects, it all adds up to keep moving forward.

I think that what began as an almost leap into the unknown has become a life with purpose — grounded in contribution and connection.

CHALLENGES

Migration takes a toll on wellbeing - Around my seventh year in Australia, the accumulated physical and emotional demands of migration began to affect my health. I experienced chronic fatigue, which forced me to confront how much energy I had been spending trying to do everything — building a career, maintaining connections, and saying yes to every social or community event, particularly within the Latin American community.

Recognising that something needed to change was the first step. I began to focus intentionally on prioritising sleep and setting healthier boundaries around my time and energy. This included accepting that I did not need to attend every event or be constantly available in order to belong or contribute. Over time, these changes restored my energy and helped me develop a more sustainable way of engaging. This experience taught me the importance of self-care and mental health — lessons that continue to shape how I work, contribute, and support others navigating similar journeys.

Living with distance and divided belonging - Australia is a vast island, and distance is a constant presence in my life. Being here has meant learning to live far from my family and friends overseas, while also building a full and meaningful life locally . Travel requires planning, time, money , emotional energy, and maintaining presence across continents is never simple.

I am very fortunate to see my overseas family frequently. Still, my heart aches at every airport farewell wanting to live in two places at once. Over time, I have learnt to accept this duality.  Distance has taught me intentional connection, gratitude, and perspective. Maybe hearts grow bigger when love crosses oceans — and learns to call more than one place home.

Navigating the Australian health care system - Coming from Latin America, I was used to going directly to a specialist when something was wrong. In Australia, everything starts with a GP, who then determines whether a referral is needed. At first, this process felt slow and frustrating, Over time, I understood the logic behind the system and how continuity of care through a GP can lead to better long-term outcomes.

CONTRASTS AND SIMMILARITIES

Time, pace, and personal boundaries - In Latin America, being present often means being emotionally and socially available, even at short notice. In Australia, people tend to value planning, personal time, and clear boundaries. While this can initially feel distant, I have come to appreciate how it supports balance, rest, and respect for individual space. Over time, I’ve learned to move comfortably between both styles — valuing spontaneity and warmth while also respecting structure and predictability.

Shared values of family, fairness, and care - Despite cultural differences, there are strong similarities in some core values between Mexico and a nation built by immigrants. For many, family sits at the centre of life in both Australia and Mexico, even if it is expressed in different ways. In Australia, care is often shown through system fairness, and a sense of community responsibility; in Mexico, it is expressed through closeness, presence, and everyday connection. My Maltese–Australian family embodies both beautifully, and I genuinely feel I won the lottery with the most amazing cousins and aunties. Living between cultures has shown me that while customs may differ, love, loyalty, and care are universal — and they are ultimately what create a sense of belonging.

At the 10 years anniversary of Latin Stories Australia celebrating with remarkable Latin American/Australian community leaders. May 2025

PIECE OF ADVICE

Virtual coffees - If you’re thinking of moving to Australia, I would suggest connecting with people virtually before you arrive. I was told to do this when I moved here, but in today’s post-COVID world, many people are happy to meet online and share their experiences. Virtual coffees are a great way to ask questions, understand practical realities, and build a small network before you land. These early connections can help you feel more confident, supported, and informed — and can make the first weeks of settling in much smoother

Have faith — in yourself, in God, in the universe, or whatever you believe in. Believe that good things can happen to you and that you have a purpose. Moving to a new country can be challenging, but staying hopeful and trusting your path will guide you and opportunities will open up for you. Once you find your direction, you will not only achieve your goals but also spread hope and inspiration to others navigating similar journeys. Perseverance and belief in yourself are key.

Take care - If you’re struggling, remember that help is never far away — it could be a phone call or an appointment with a specialist. Don’t let weeks pass before you act. If you’re feeling “off,” look into it early. Sometimes the cause can be something simple, like low iron or vitamin D, which is common for many Latin Americans adjusting to Melbourne’s lower sunlight compared to the regions we come from. Taking care of your physical and mental health early makes a huge difference, and seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness. Please use and share our mental health directory ( link)

IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS

In 5 years Cristy sees herself continuing to work in State or Local Government, contributing to projects that make a tangible difference in the community. She hopes to celebrate 15 years of Latin Stories Australia with over 100 volunteers and having delivered many La Sobremesa boardgame workshops with amazing social change partners. She also wants to learn piano, master some delicious Mexican recipes, travel to Japan, practice minimalism, and enjoy lots of quality time with family and friends eating watermelon or mango with Tajin and chilaquiles!

Do you want to follow Cristina’s journey? Connect with her on LinkedIN or Instagram

We invite you to you to take a moment to reflect after reading this inspiring story and invite you to support our work for the community with a tax deductible donation , following us on LinkedIn and Instagram or joining the Latin Stories Australia volunteer group.

With love and gratitude - The Latin Stories Australia team