15th November 2015 Canberra, Australia
This time last year, I was in Paris with my family, visiting friends and exploring one of the world’s most beautiful cities. We did the usual things – climbed the Eiffel Tower, visited Sacré-Coeur, gazed at the impressionist art at Musée d’Orsay, ate in cafes and restaurants. And on an unusually warm Autumn weekend, we […]
29th October 2015 Canberra, Australia
Last Monday I was at Parliament House in Canberra for the première of the wonderful British film Suffragette. The evening featured two fantastic performances, the first by Carey Mulligan in the film’s lead role – surely worthy of an Oscar nomination at least. The second was by Ian Smith, our Honorary Consul for South Australia. Epsom-born […]
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29th July 2015 Canberra, Australia
I have been travelling a lot in the last few weeks, which has made me reflect on what is ‘home’ and what is ‘away’. Let’s just say it’s not so simple as for the residents of Summer Bay! First of all, as a diplomat, it doesn’t help to become too attached to one place, because […]
30th June 2015 Canberra, Australia
Over the last two weeks, I’ve taken part in a number of events to mark the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta. My personal highlight was undoubtedly introducing Prime Minister Tony Abbott to an audience of over 300 people in Parliament’s Great Hall, to deliver the British High Commission’s annual Magna Carta lecture. As I said […]
10th June 2015 Canberra, Australia
Before I came to Australia, someone said to me: “You’ll lay a lot of wreaths”. The comment recognised, I think, an Australian paradox that I’ve also noticed now I’m here: how a nation which is so informal and at ease with itself can also be attached to the art of the ceremony and the more […]
21st May 2015 Canberra, Australia
It’s been over a month since I arrived with my family in Australia; and it’s been busy! I’ve been investing time in getting to know the country and have travelled 6,500 miles in the last two weeks, shuttling between Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane. I’ve met our fantastic ‘UK in Australia’ team spread across […]
22nd April 2015 Canberra, Australia
This week, I’m gearing up for the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings. It’s my first Anzac Day here and I want to be ready; so I’ve visited the incredible Australian War Memorial here in Canberra (before the crowds arrive this weekend) and watched some moving documentaries on the History Channel. And […]
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14th April 2015 Canberra, Australia
It’s great to arrive in Australia to take up the role of British High Commissioner. I feel honoured to have been appointed to the role, and look forward to getting stuck in. A bit about me. You can see my bio here, but in short I’m a career diplomat – and a mum. I’m here with […]