25th February 2013
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
London in February is a bit on the chilly side. But London is great to visit at any time of year. That’s why over one million Australians visit Britain every year, spending £1 billion. This amount has doubled over the past decade. A significant number are travelling to visit friends and relatives, but others are […]
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24th December 2012
London, UK
Here are some of the social media highlights from the Foreign Office and its network of British embassies, high commissions and missions overseas during 2012 …
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21st December 2012
Ottawa, Canada
We’re into that final pre-Xmas flurry of activity, and I’m sure you’re all frantically getting ready for the holiday season. I know I am, and I’m ashamed to say that I’ve bought most of my Christmas presents online this year, which removes some of the romance of shopping, but makes life a lot easier! But […]
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19th December 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
This is my last blog of the year. Many thanks to all of you for taking the time to read my ramblings. Herewith twelve personal highlights from a fascinating, fun and fast-moving year in Sweden: January saw the first of many Ministerial visits this year. Lord Green, our Business Minister came for a big meeting […]
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27th November 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
James Bond is an iconic British global brand. So we have been keen to associate ourselves with it as part of our Public Diplomacy activities. Over the last week, we have hosted very successful Skyfall screenings and networking events in five Australian cities (Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth), together with commercial partners including Virgin, […]
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14th November 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
TRH The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall paid a Jubilee visit to Australia last week. He had visited many times before and is very fond of the country. For the Duchess it was her very first visit. They had a full programme travelling all over Australia, taking in the outback in Queensland, […]
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28th September 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Australian painter Ralph Heimans has just produced a wonderful new portrait of Her Majesty, depicting the Queen standing in the spot in Westminster Abbey where she was crowned. I was delighted to attend the launch of this spectacular painting at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra, by Her Majesty’s representative in Australia, Governor General HE […]
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30th August 2012
Dublin, Ireland
I am just about to go on leave out of Poland. One of the things I plan to do is watch lots of the Paralympics live on TV. One of my best experiences thus far was the farewell ceremony for the Polish Paralympics team last Friday. They are a fantastic bunch of dedicated athletes, who are gunning […]
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15th June 2012
Warsaw, Poland
In London scenes which brought people to the streets in their thousands to celebrate 60 Great British years of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. In Warsaw a superb tribute to Her Majesty set against a backdrop of two iconic sporting events – living football and anticipating London’s 2012 Olympiad. A splendid occasion, a kaleidoscope of […]
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8th June 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
In Newcastle, New South Wales, watching Scotland play Australia at Rugby. I don’t think I’ve ever attended a sports match played in such adverse weather conditions: a massive storm brought high gusting winds and driving rain. All the points came from penalties, and to the enormous satisfaction of their band of dedicated followers, a gritty […]
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