Citizen of Australia

Where do I start.

I was born in Lincolnshire and lived in Suffolk till we left the UK to emigrate to Africa where we lived in the now Zimbabwe we really loved it there but with the troubles my father took us to live in New Zealand. When my uncle emigrated to Perth my parents went to live in Perth and I went to live in Sydney.

Sydney was difficult at that time as if you were not a member of any club there was not much to do this, membership is now much easier to obtain and from my observations most people belong to the RSL or a Leagues Club in Sydney.

My friends and I move to Melbourne and we loved it much better.

I married a Scot who lived in geordieland and returned to the UK to live for a while.

We then returned to Aus and have lived here ever since.

Having lived around the world I must say that when I return to Australia from a visit overseas now I am so pleased to get home. There are things I miss about the UK and the family as we had a large family over there but I feel safer here, away from the hub ub of world problems.

I love the open space and we go often to the high country in the summer as we are not a fan of snow and its beautiful up there, so peaceful and so much space.

We were just discussing the other day that when we go somewhere and there is someone else already there in the country we think what are they doing here we are just so used to being the only people.

I love the 90 mile beach to walk on it in the winter no one else there.

I love to walk on the beach at Balnarring not far from my home in the winter, its a beautiful beach.

Living on the Mornington Peninsula it takes us about an hour to get to the city not that we go very often. Unless to see my friend who lives right in the city.

I go to the races and belong the Mornington Race Club and love it not expensive and a good day out. We do not bet huge just fun, do not use the pokies at all.

My children love the Peninsula and have grown up here from the ages of six and seven and know so many people.

My son works in the country as a Maths teacher now and will not return to live in Melbourne as he loves the country life and the fact he can ride his bike to school each day and walk to the pub.

Where we live its mainly English and Australian people who live here although my neighbour is filipino married to an Aus and lovely lady.

I know my neighbours and put it down to the fact that as we live on large blocks we are more friendly I know people do not agree and will not agree but I think the less oppressed we feel the more open we become. That is why we moved here away from the city as it was arranged play etc for the children and I do not believe in that.

I have many friends and only one English one. We made our minds up to mix in when we came here and we have and its been great.

I think that this site is wonderful for people and hope I can help people.

Some people will love Australia and others will hate it and others will keep looking for that elusive shangrila, I know I lived it with my parents and believe me the other side of hill is not greener. Its make up your mind stick to it expect things to be different do not dwell on the past and things will be bright and rosy wherever you live.

Its the weather and the open space when the city becomes too much jump in the car (if you can afford it) and head out to a quiet place.