It is always a pleasure to meet new Whyalla residents and hear their inspiring stories.
Not only does it make me a proud Whyalla resident but also gives me an understanding about how Whyalla is changing.
The interviews get more interesting when you talk to religious or spiritual people and they offer to pray for you as a thank you for giving them time.
One such person in Whyalla is Nonu Maiava who moved with his family to Australia in 2001 from New Zealand and has never regretted his decision.
Mr Maiava is the local minister for the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and has been since he was assigned here in January 2007.
He moved here with his wife Mecki and their children, Andrew 20, Aaron 15, Abel 14 and Angelicia 13.
Mr Maiava is a dedicated father and husband as well as a dedicated minister and he feels nothing less than pride when he speaks about his children.
"I'm so proud of my children because they still believe in the Lord and haven't been discouraged," he said.
"It teaches them to be humble and to be accepting of all people."
When it came to the decision to come to Australia it was a rushed situation as Mr Maiava and his family had two months to meet all the requirements, pack up and move.
"Ever since we took that step we have never looked back," Mr Maiava said.
When they moved to Australia they were originally concerned about whether or not Australia had all the resources their family was in need of.
"Because our son, Abel is disabled we worried that he won't be able to have all the necessary essentials that he was receiving in New Zealand, but when we came here everything was better," he said.
"Abel got so many more things than they had in New Zealand and he now goes to the Special School.
Before being assigned to Whyalla as a minister, Mr Maiava had short stays in Brisbane, New Castle and Sydney.
Mr Maiava said that he enjoys living in Whyalla compared to the other busy places he has seen since moving to Australia.
"It is very relaxing and the people are friendly," he said.
"You can smell the sea and you never have to worry about traffic at peak hour."
Mr Maiava said that his family is happy and enjoying life in Whyalla and they plan to stay here permanently.
"We are really settling in well and enjoy living here more," he said.
He describes his job as fulfilling and rewarding and a priority.
"It's a very fulfilling job because everything I do for people has a good impact on them," Mr Maiava said.
"Other jobs are obviously important but as a minister you get to help people along their life journey by helping them when they are down and showing them guidance through a spiritual way."
Mr Maiava said that no matter what has happened in people's lives the Lord has always provided for them.
"Bing a minister is not a job you can get rich from but all of your needs are provided for," he said.
"I might get a flat tire, but it will always happen out the front of a mechanic garage, it's those little things that make me know that the Lord is with me."
"It is said that when the gospel has been preached throughout the entire world then the Lord Jesus Christ will return to earth for what is also known as judgement day.
"To be a minister is to simply spread the word about the ways of Jesus and so that when judgement day arrives no one has an excuse and you can simply decide yes or no."
Mr Maiava is a special man who is more than just kind hearted and has a laugh, which is warm and comforting.
He is a man of wisdom and if you allow it, he will help guide you through anything if you ask.
Mr Maiava had this last message for me as I was leaving from our interview, he called out to me and said, "Life is a rose bush, there are thorns but you have to look past them and see the beauty of the roses."
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