PYRAMID HILL is a long way from the tropics in the Philippines, and for Richard and Marilyn Fernandez it is paradise.After conceding that the winter took a bit of getting used to, Mr Fernandez now loves the Australian climate and the wide open spaces.He also loves Australian culture and the sense of community.“In the Philippines everyone was on top of each other - it was so crowded,” Mr Fernandez said.“I like it here. People are so friendly and generous and it will be a great place for our family to grow up.”Pyramid Hill has welcomed the Fernandez family - Winona, Joshua, Julia, Elijah and Toby - into their community with open arms.Lyn Coutts, a mother at St Patrick’s Primary School, volunteered her time to drive to Melbourne Airport to collect Marilyn and the children. She said the family had embraced Australian life with enthusiasm.“We have all done our bit to help Richard and Marilyn, and they have fitted into the community so well,” Ms Coutts said.“Everyone, not just the parish and the school, has done so much to make them welcome.”St Patrick’s Primary School principal Shane Wharton said the local community helped the family find a home.Marilyn had been boarding when Richard, Toby and Elijah arrived in May this year.The house has a large back yard where Elijah has been running around with a donated Sherrin football practising the game that he has adopted.Mr Wharton said the hard-working attitude of the family was the reason they had been quickly accepted in Pyramid Hill.Both work at the Kia Ora piggery in Yarrawalla, where they put in long hours.“They are a lovely family. They are willing to come to Australia to work, to get money to bring their children, so the school decided to help.”After an article was published in The Advertiser, money poured in as schools across the district held casual clothes days, Bendigo Bank staff chipped in and a donation from an anonymous couple in Bendigo covered the final difference. “I like their attitude - hard working,” the donors said.“And I’m inspired by a lot of people like them from foreign backgrounds whom we just don’t appreciate. They are young people prepared to have a go, and do whatever job they can get.”Escape Travel in Bendigo helped arrange the flights, and special access to Qantas lounges eased the stress on the children as they travelled to their new home.