17th June 2016 Canberra, Australia
It is 26 years since a British MP was murdered. Back in 1990, the victim was Ian Gow, a Conservative politician, murdered by the IRA. In those days, we had come to half-expect such terrible events to punctuate the rhythm of life in the UK. But it was from an enemy we knew and recognised […]
10th June 2016 Canberra, Australia
When I joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), a former Ambassador gave me a piece of advice that I remember to this day. He said that a diplomat is only as good as their network. It stuck with me, because he was right. To be an effective diplomat, you need great networks. No […]
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6th June 2016 Canberra, Australia
Having joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) just four weeks prior to the British High Commission in Canberra hosting the official celebration for Her Majesty The Queen’s 90th birthday, attending a black-tie affair with Ambassadors and diplomats from around the globe certainly fitted, if not exceeded, my mental picture of working life in an embassy. […]
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26th April 2016 Beirut, Lebanon
Yesterday I participated in an ANZAC ceremony for the first time: a moving dawn service led by Australian Ambassador Glenn Miles to commemorate the fallen of the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) in the battle of Gallipoli, 1915. This tragic battle helped forge the modern countries of Australia and New Zealand. There was […]
19th April 2016 Canberra, Australia
It’s Autumn in Canberra. The view from my window looking out towards the Brindabellas is one of grey skies and multi-coloured trees. The cockatoos are out in force, squawking around the place. For the first time, this all feels familiar. That’s because it’s been a year since we arrived in Australia, landing in Canberra to […]
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15th March 2016 Canberra, Australia
Last weekend was an unusual one for me, as I went to church twice. The events I attended were different, but equally uplifting. On Saturday I went to the Chapel of the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture here in Canberra, to take part in an ecumenical service for the feast of St Patrick. This […]
10th February 2016 Canberra, Australia
Sudan is a rhinoceros. If I had written that sentence during the two years I worked at our Embassy in Khartoum, there might have been raised eyebrows. But the fact remains that Sudan is a rhino, and a very special one… Sudan was born in what is now South Sudan in the late 1970s, and […]
4th February 2016 Canberra, Australia
In my travels around Australia I am often asked about the EU referendum. And many of those asking are Britons or people with deep ties to the UK. The interest is understandable. The last referendum on this issue was 40 years ago. Ultimately it will be the British people who decide whether we’re stronger and […]
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12th January 2016 Canberra, Australia
While I was being born in September 1967, David Bowie (real name David Jones) was 20 years old, and trying to make it big in music. Thrilled to receive a letter from an American fan who had actually heard his music, he penned this response. I love this letter – it speaks to the humility, […]
14th December 2015 Canberra, Australia
Emily Byrne has been working on climate policy for both the British and Australian governments for the last six years. We have a deal from the Paris talks! I’m stoked. Many people have worked for many years to make this agreement happen, and it’s at the most optimistic end of what I could have hoped for. Here’s my […]
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