After six months in Warrnambool and a year in Moe, Mr Chandak jumped at the chance to take up a permanent teaching position in the Grampians' region.

The mathematics teacher took up a full time position at Ararat College in January and along with wife Meena and sons Krishna (8) and Shayan (7) is loving his new home.

The boys, who attend Ararat West Primary School, have settled in to the Australian way of life with ease thanks to their fluent English, larrikin sense of humour and love of cricket.

Their journey has been an interesting one. Born in New Zealand, Krishna and Shayan spent their early years in Auckland before moving to India.

Mrs Chandak, who is also a teacher, said although she was apprehensive about moving to a new country, the immediate friendliness of the locals put her mind at ease.

''It's a big step,'' she said.

''You are a bit scared at first about how the people will be like and how they will treat you, but we are completely comfortable in this place and feel like we have been here for awhile.''

The family said they had received overwhelming community support since moving to Ararat.

''We moved from Moe and compared to Gippsland, I find the people are very friendly here,'' Mr Chandak said.

''People here are very eager to help you if you need anything.''

The family credits Ararat College staff and skilled migration co-ordinator Celia Affleck for their assistance, both initially and in ongoing support.

The Chandaks have already made a number of new friends in Ararat through both schools and the Church of Christ, where they occasionally attend.

''Even when you go to church people here are very nice,'' Mrs Chandak said.

''Even though we are not from that religion, we are Hindus, they are so warm and they always welcome us. You don't feel like you have any differences.''