Hello All Green Apples
Have you ever been to an Australian citizenship ceremony?
The ceremony Brian and I attended at the Royal International Convention Centre in Brisbane on Thursday October 1st was conducted impeccably, well able to process the 501 new Aussies with sufficient pomp and ceremony.
The ceremony was attended by several key government representatives, and they all had their role in welcoming us as new Aussies and their Australian guests. The key speaker, Senator Paul Scarr, mentioned that we came from all over the world and he asked for a show of hands in regard to how long we had been living in Australia. He started with “Who has been living in Australia up to 5 years” and increased it by 5 as he continued. By the time he got to “up to 55 years”, I was the final remaining hand in the air. Not sure if that was a good or bad thing but he said he was looking for a “winner”!
Many of you have mentioned you are surprised I didn’t become an Australian citizen decades ago. I might say I strongly and deeply feel a dual citizen, a proud Australian/ New Zealander.
When I arrived in Brisbane in 1969, married to an Australian and from a country which had easy passageway between the two neighbouring countries, there was no need. I was able to vote, to purchase land etc and I had no restrictions.
Perhaps the only time my loyalties were challenged was when the All Blacks were playing the Wallabies! And this remains well-ingrained!
Thank you for your kind wishes and sentiments as you welcome me as a “true-blue Aussie”. Interestingly, at the Ceremony, we even had to yell “Aussie! OI!” and “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! OI, OI, OI!” and since I have always done this it was very familiar to me.
A quick mention of Bridie’s next Workshop, dealing with a topic so needed by most of us, KNEES! We all need the information Bridie will provide in this 2 x 90 minute sessions. I encourage you to book in now.
And the Bald Hills Curbside Collection starts on October 6 and John, Rafael and Tristan have been working hard to clear unnecessary stuff out of Brian’s huge shed. Some of it is still in working order but just not needed or duplicates of tools etc. You may be at “culling-stage” yourself but check it out, just in case
Cheers
