I’m currently paying my farewell visits to major Australian cities before I depart at the end of my posting in February. Today I’m in Melbourne.
It’s a city I must have visited around thirty times in the course of my four year posting. That reflects its importance within Australia. With the second largest population it’s home to many senior politicians, and houses the HQs of important companies like BHP and ANZ and NAB banks. It also has a cluster of prestigious universities, including Melbourne Uni and Monash (which has a close relationship with Warwick). It is a particularly handsome city, with fine civic buildings reflecting its gold wealth in the 19th century. And the quirky backstreets and lanes with their fascinating shops and restaurants make Europeans feel at home right away. Its not surprising that it regularly tops polls of the world’s most liveable cities.
The Governor, the Hon Alex Chernov and his wife Elizabeth, whom we’ve got to know very well, were kind enough to host a farewell lunch at the palatial Government House. Guests included former state Premier Ted Baillieu, who was responsible for me supporting the mighty Geelong Cats AFL team, and the Chairman of the Melbourne Cricket Ground Paul Sheahan, who has hosted us at so many splendid sporting moments, from AFL Grand Finals to the Boxing Day Test. Melbourne proudly claims to be Australia’s sporting capital, with its splendid complex of stadiums on the banks of the Yarra, only a short walk from the city centre. Last night we popped into the Australian Open Tennis and watched Aussie hero Lleyton Hewitt win his first round match.
With our Consul General Gareth Hoar I called on the recently elected Labor Premier, Daniel Andrews, to learn about his plans for the new Administration. I had met him a number of times in Opposition. Realising that I was on my third national PM and third premier of Victoria, made me think it probably is time for me to be moving on. I also met up with contacts from the business community, and my chum Greg Sheridan, foreign editor of The Australian newspaper, the doyen of Australian foreign policy journalists.
It is sad to say goodbye to my colleagues at our Consulate General here. They do a great job working on trade & investment, science & innovation and consular issues; supporting British business and individuals in this bustling city. I will certainly be returning to Melbourne in the years ahead.