HE SPENT six years in an orphanage in East Timor but thanks to Southern Cross University (SCU) and sponsors, student Americo Periera has been working at the restaurant owned by MasterChef Australia judge George Calombaris.

Mr Periera is a food and beverage attendant at The Hellenic Republic Restaurant in Melbourne, a placement he gained through SCU's Work Integrated Learning program and with the help of one of his sponsors, Joe Calleja, who is associated with Mr Calombaris.

He had previously been studying a Bachelor of Business in International Tourism Management at SCU with the assistance of a Rising Stars scholarship and had also studied an English language program through the university.

"I like my job very much because the staff who work here are very professional," Mr Periera said. "They have had lots of experience, and that has helped me to learn too."

Before coming to Australia, Mr Pereira, 24, lived in the Familia Hope orphanage located in the Ermera district of the emerging nation.

Familia Hope is home to up to 30 children who, in many cases, have lost their parents to military conflict resulting from the country's struggle for independence.

Mr Pereira said, before going to Familia Hope, he was raised by his uncle and aunty, Andre and Lucia.

"I was lucky to have been able to live at Familia Hope because we had a home, good food and access to education," he said.

The orphanage was set up by former North Coast resident Isa Bradridge and his wife Ina.

Support for Mr Pereira to attend SCU came from Brunswick Heads resident John Bailey, working with Associate Professor David Lloyd in the School of Environment, Science and Engineering at SCU.

"I am so glad to have had the opportunity to come here," said Mr Periera. "I would like to say 'thank you' to the Australian people who have helped me."

He said he hoped to return to East Timor and work in tourism as well as help other young Timorese get ahead.