Crafting of an Australian Citizenship Quilt NSW Contributions

Crafting of an Australian Citizenship Quilt
NSW Contributions
The Citizenship Policy and Promotion Section of the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and
Indigenous Affairs would like to thank the following NSW contributors to the Australian Citizenship Quilt
and the companion Young Australian Citizenship Quilt.
In total, about 400 squares were received and almost 300 selected for the final designs.
qryNSWWeb
ArtistSurname ArtistFirst Name ArtistSuburb ArtistID
Anderson Katherine Albion Park Rail 46
Arnott Lynne Turramurra 94
Banks Diane Wirrimbi 75
Barrett Judith Katoomba 225
Bartlett Coralie Forestville 284
Betts Elizabeth Coonabarabran 283
Blanchard Maree Marrickville 35
Bloomfield Philippa Turramurra 288
Boyton Gwenda Tuross Head 157
Bray Karina Lilyfield 181
Brown Anne-Marie Frenchs Forest 113
Bryce Ellen Londonderry 133
Catanzariti Caterina Griffith 163
Catanzariti Brendan Griffith 164
Catanzariti David Jerabombera 164
Chapman Barbara Granville 78
Chapple Jane Corrimal 192
Covey Danielle Beacon Hill 285
Daly Lynne Harrington Park 60
Eames Amelia Wahroonga 279
Eldridge Glad Nyngan 232
Evans Helen Manildra 185
Fenton Olga East Lindfield 134
Fleming Vivien Port Macquarie 207
Gatenby Karla Turramurra 289
Gibbs-Carson Felicity Ulladulla 47
Giblin Sally St Ives 70
Gilchrist Anthea Cherrybrook 89
Gras Marlene Griffith 151
Greenwood Pietty Liverpool 203
Greenwood Pietty Liverpool 204
Greenwood Pietty Liverpool 205
Hale Caitlin Wahroonga 280
Hansen Jean East Gosford 290
Hendricks Anna Gordon 277

qryNSWWeb
ArtistSurname ArtistFirst Name ArtistSuburb ArtistID
Howard Yvonne Urunga 159
Hyde Janet Niagara Park 19
Kelly Sheila Kirrawee 6
Kitto Marina Rockdale 31
Kleinschafer Sister Mary East Maitland 139
Lemin Jean Cooranbong 26
Lemin Jean Cooranbong 27
Lever Leonie Keiraville 22
Levey Catherine Braidwood 63
Lima Teresa Rosemeadow 155
Lloyd Sue Lismore 96
Long Elizabeth Green Point 62
Lovett Patricia Nyngan 230
Lucas Judy Roseville 286
Magree Mardi Faulconbridge 59
Mason Kathy North Narrabeen 111
Masters Jean Cooranbong 16
Masters Jean Cooranbong 17
McAllister Hannah Normanhurst 281
McGann Barbara Gordon 282
McGregor Helen Kellyville 24
McKenna Lily Toongabbie 292
McLeod Jill Via Braidwood 199
Miles Ann Old Toongabbie 293
Mills Elizabeth Ulladulla 177
Mirek Letitia Lewisham 58
Moffet Kate Turramurra 287
Morris Caitlin Wahroonga 278
Muir Barbara MARAYONG 38
Pages Vanessa Leeton 164
Pardy Yvonne Nyngan 231
Patel Dami Ingleburn 193
Perry Monica Green Point 291
Power Julie Grafton 55
Procopis Dianne Davidson 179
Reeds Jo Penrith 154
Rigg Judy Berry 66
Scarborough Nerida Rydalmere 57
Selby-Morton Anne Port Macquary 187
Stacey Gail Cranbrook 150
Sutton Judith Palm Beach 61
Thomas Elizabeth MAYFIELD 36
Thorpe Dr Leon Griffith 130
Thorpe Suzanne Griffith 129
Turner Stephanie Peakhurst 174
Turner Stephanie Peakhurst 175

qryNSWWeb
ArtistSurname ArtistFirst Name ArtistSuburb ArtistID
Turner Stephanie Peakhurst 176
Urquhart Elsa Dural 34
Vukoja Durdica Fairfield 49
Wall Shirla Dubbo 307
Watson Elizabeth Cooma 51
Weatherstone June Via Braidwood 189
Weedon Heather Point Clare 56
White Carole Saratoga 74
Wiencke Edna Wagga Wagga 95

Anderson, Katherine
Albion Park Rail NSW
“The Sea Chest”
ID046
The artist’s parents married in England in August 1939,
with three children born in war time circumstances,
surviving strictly rationed food and dreadful nights in air
raid shelters, listening to sirens and bomb blasts,
clutching our gas masks and praying. Her father, a
coach builder by trade, joined the Royal Air Force
repairing damaged aircraft, many flown by Australian
airmen who often told him stories about how wonderful
it was to live in Australia. These stories gave her
parents “hope for a better, brighter, happier future in a
new country.”
“We had our personal belongings in a sea chest that my
father bought off a sailor, who had assured him it would
survive the voyage. It did. In fact, that chest is still kept
in the family some 51 years on.
“As we settled in this beautiful country, Australia
became our permanent home. My mother and father
never regretted coming to Australia and never returned
to England. Sadly, my mother and father have now
both passed away. My brothers and I decided to
become Australian citizens as a tribute to them, as now
our children and grandchildren benefit from their
courage to make us all a new life in Australia – the
‘lucky country’.”
The artist’s “Sea Chest” design includes a
toy to represent the children, a rose for
her parents whose ashes are in her rose
garden and her father’s Royal Air Force
badge.
17 June 1954 – the last night before the Palmer
family left England for Australia

Arnott, Lynne
Turramurra NSW
No story provided.
ID094
Banks, Diane
Wirrimbi NSW
No story provided.
ID075
Barrett, Judith
Katoomba NSW
No story provided.
ID225

Bartlett, Coralie
Forestville NSW
No story provided.
ID284
Betts, Elizabeth
Coonabarabran NSW
Coonabarabran Junior Guides & Lone Waratah
Guides
“We come together as a group with all different cultures
and socio-economic backgrounds. We abide by our
Promise and the Guide Laws.”
ID283

Betty Viazim
Photograph: Peter Holderness, courtesy of NIDA
Blanchard, Maree
Marickville NSW
The artist’s father, Gregory Nikitich Viazim, fled
Russia with his brother in 1922 for Shanghai
where he lived with the expatriate Russian
community before migrating to Australia in 1925.
He worked as an electrical welder in Townsville,
Darwin and Port Kembla before arriving in Sydney.
He met and married Betty Viazim, who received
an Order of the British Empire in 1981 for her
services to Australia’s Film Industry. Apart from
credits in classic Australian films and television
productions including “We of the Never Never”,
“Careful He Might Hear You” and “My Brother
Jack”, she lectured in theatre crafts at the National
Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) from 1974 – 1983.
Betty Viazim’s millinery extended to creating hats
for collectable dolls. After Betty’s death, the artist
created the annual “Betty Viazim Craft Award” in
her mother’s honour.
ID035

“I would not be here if Australia had not accepted
[my father] as a migrant … his brother went to
America and his parents and sister were not heard
of again. I think Australian citizenship is just the
most prestigious thing in the world to have. We
are really, really lucky.”
Gregory Viazim received his Certificate of
Naturalization on 15 April 1940.
The artist’s husband is descended from the
second “free” Greek settler in Australia, John
Peters (Ioannis Iakoumis), who landed in Sydney
in 1838 and married an Irish woman with whom he
had 16 children. He was a “boatman” on the
Parramatta River before moving with his family to
the “Bedervale” property near Braidwood, NSW,
where he worked as a shepherd and gold
prospector at nearby Little River.
Bloomfield, Philippa (Pip)
Turramurra NSW
The artist is fourth generation Australian of English
and Scottish descent.
ID288
“Australia is unique and a diverse land – both its
landscape and people make it so special to me. I
see Australia as a land of colour, a land of deserts
and plains, mountains, forests and oceans all with
wonderful and strange flora and fauna. The
colours of Australia are also the people. The
Aboriginal people with their understanding of the
land and their ancient culture. People from
European countries, from Asia, Africa, the
Americas and the Middle East all bring their own
vibrant colours of food, language and culture to
make Australia the great nation it is today.”

Boyton, Gwenda
Tuross Head NSW
The artist’s paternal ancestors came to Australia from
Essex, England and from Dumfrieshire, Scotland, on
her maternal side. Before recently retiring to the South
Coast of NSW, the artist and her husband were farmers
in SW NSW near Wagga Wagga.
“The kangaroo represents the land and the dolphins the
surrounding water. This makes us a free and complete
country. I am lucky to live in this lovely country.
ID157
Bray, Karina
Lilyfield NSW
“Free Speech”
Artist dedicates her square to free speech.
“I am glad to be a citizen of a country where we have
the right to free speech. The Prime Minister, Mr John
Howard, reminded us of this right and how important it
is, when he first came to power. Because in many
countries people don’t have this right and they go jail for
saying something wrong about politicians or religion.”
ID181
Brown, Anne-Marie (Anna)
Frenchs Forest
The artist was born in England in 1953. She pays
tribute to her parents who, in 1970, had the “courage to
leave their home for a better life”. She grew up in
Queensland with memories of “sun and surf, and
wonderful holidays!” She now lives with her husband
and two children in Sydney.
ID113
“I became an Australian citizen in 1988, as an
acknowledgement that this is my home. My small quilt
[square] attempts to show the wonderful wide open
spaces and colours of this beautiful country.”

Bryce, Ellen
Londonderry NSW
The artist’s parents, Sara and Masan, fled their
“beloved country” (former Yugoslavia) independently
during World War II over the Velebit Mountains,
eventually arriving in Egypt as refugees, where Masan
joined the English Army. The pair met and married in
Egypt and had two children by the end of the war, when
they accepted Australia’s offer of a new beginning for
their family. The couple went on to have four children,
13 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
ID133
“They are the legacy they leave to Australia in thanks
for what Australia has given them – over 55 years of
living with no fear for their freedom, their health and, in
the end, their happiness.
“Our parents never yearned to return home, they
appreciated their new home and worked hard to provide
for their family. They worked the land just as they had
back home, but here they reaped more. They provided
a home, an education and a safe environment for their
children.
“The quilt square shows Sara’s mountains, her cows
and sheep, her water well at her home. Masan’s land in
Zaton at the base of the mountains. Sara’s irises,
planted on her mother’s grave 85 years ago (and still
there), the pyramids of Egypt where they met and
married, the offer of peace and the boat trip to Australia,
the Kangaroo representing their Australian born
children, their four children, and the beautiful flowers of
Australia.
“Sara is 91 years old and still enjoying being an
Australian citizen. Thank you mum and dad, thank you
Australia for inviting my parents to make Australia their
home.”

Catanzariti, Caterina & Brendan
Griffith NSW
Catanzariti, David
Jerabombera NSW
Pages, Vanessa
Leeton NSW
Hillam, Ann-Marie
Weipa QLD
ID163
”The students in the square are my six
grandchildren who share their Australian
heritage with their multicultural background…
The teacher is me.” – Catarina
Caterina Catanzariti’s father was the first to arrive from
Italy in Australia on 29 June 1949, establishing an
orchard in Griffith with his brother. In 1952, when she
was seven years old, she and her mother joined their
father in Australia.
“On the 11 th of April 1955, my brother Pasquale was
born, bringing much happiness to our family as my
parents had lost two baby boys due to common
childhood illnesses in Italy. My school days were very
enjoyable and I was doing well [but] at the age of
fourteen I was told by my father that I was to leave
school because of our cultural traditions. Most girls
from the same cultural background were not permitted
to attend school beyond that age. After I left school I
became a dressmaker and sewed until I got married.
In 1964, she married Joe. Joe’s father had also come
to Australia ahead of his family in 1949, with the rest of
the family joining him in 1951. Joe was 15 when he
arrived in Australia. He became an Australian citizen at
20, establishing a Real Estate Business by the age of
23.
ID164
Each year, the couple and their children,
spent their summer vacations at Terrigal
Beach, NSW. The “square” contributed by
their children recalls the “surf, sand and
endless happy days spent there. We are
very proud to call Australia home and proud
of our great nation.” – David, Ann-Marie,
Brendan and Vanessa
“I was very fortunate to have married my husband who
was very liberal in his thinking and all our [two
daughters and two sons] obtained university
educations. We always encouraged our children to
strive for high ideals. He also encouraged me to follow
my own dream of one day completing my own
education… In 1995, I graduated from University with a
Bachelor of Education. For the past nine years I have
been working as an ESL teacher at our local Catholic
school, teaching English to migrant children. Thank you
mum and dad for migrating to Australia and becoming
Australian citizens, where your dream for a better future
did come true!”

Chapman, Barbara
Granville NSW
“The square … depicts the end of a hard day on the
land where the horse is watering by the windmill prior to
bedding down to recover for the next days work. The
material around the end … represents the hard sun
baked cracked earth of the drought.”
ID078
Chapple, Jane
Corrimal NSW
No story provided.
ID192
Covey, Danielle
Beacon Hill
Frenchs Forest Senior Guides
No story provided.
ID285

Daly, Lynne
Harrington Park NSW
The artist is fifth generation Australian, with her
ancestors arriving by sea from England, Ireland and
Wales in search of a new life.
“I have travelled far and wide and am always proud to
say ‘I’m Australian’! I hope future generations continue
to appreciate what we have here, and look after our
land, so that my offspring and theirs can enjoy
Australia, its freedom and all its jewels.”
ID070
Eames, Amelia
Wahroonga NSW
Wahroonga Guides
“I moved to Sydney this year and transferred to
Wahroonga Guides. I am 10 years old and have been
a guide for four years. My mother has an apron with
Australian wildflowers printed on it and we have the
same material as curtains at our Guide Hut. The purple
flower is my favourite and this is why I chose if for my
patchwork. It blooms in Western Australia in the spring
time”.
ID279
Eldridge, Glad
Nyngan NSW
Nyngan Trefoil Guide
“This is our land, Australia. These flowers are all God’s
creation. How beautiful they all are – unique each one,
just as we humans are…
“I have lived in Nyngan in Western NSW all my life, and
have always gathered the wild flowers every spring to
make daisy chains… Even today I go and gather a
bunch as they remind me of my childhood…”
ID232

Evans, Helen & John
Manildra NSW
The artists are sheep farmers in the Central West
region of New South Wales, with ancestors from
Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales and Italy.
ID185
“Our ancestors came looking for freedom in a new and
better lifestyle. What courage and hope they showed.
We hope their dreams were fulfilled as they gave our
family the chance to enjoy this freedom and love for a
wonderful country. We’re proud to be Australians: to be
able to enjoy the blue sky with the warmth of the sun,
clear starry nights, the welcome rains and the smell of
the gums.”
Fenton, Olga
East Lindfield NSW
“I made a quilt square using traditional elements of
Kazakh ornaments. As well, I tried to be as accurate as
possible with the traditional style of the local patchwork
tapestry. Kazakhstan is a country of my origin.”
ID134
Fleming, Vivien
Port Macquarie NSW
No story provided.
ID207

Gatenby. Karla
Turramurra NSW
3A Wahroonga Girl Guides
“The platypus is our patrol symbol. The platypus is shy
and likes to play in the water, just like me.”
ID289

“Dad would smother the porridge in brown sugar
and full cream milk that was usually delivered in
bottles every morning by a milkman to our door.
Forty years later I still love porridge, but my poor
sister turns pale when she thinks of it. She’s
never eaten porridge again.
ID047
Gibbs-Carson, Felicity
Ulladulla NSW
What it Means to be an Australian Citizen
“I am a sixth generation Australian of English
and Irish descent. Most of my ancestors came
to New South Wales in the 1820s. Some were
looking for a better life and some were convicts.
“I was born in 1959 and I suppose that is when
my Australian citizenship begins. I grew up in
Orange on the Central Western Tablelands of
NSW. Growing up in Australia in the 1960s was
a very interesting time. I have a vivid memory
of listening to the wireless reporting the
disappearance of our then Prime Minister,
Harold Holt. I remember watching the Moon
landing in glorious black and white, and growing
up listening to my parents reliving the horrors of
‘their war’, World War II. It didn’t seem long
before our boys were off to Vietnam and my
generation’s war.
“ In my quilt I have tried to represent the
memories that stand out the most to me as a
child growing up in Australia. For breakfast
every day my Dad made Uncle Toby’s Oats for
my sister and I. He was hard working and loved
our family and it was his way of helping Mum
while she got ready for work.
“Billy tea also played a big part of our growing up
in Australia. I had the most wonderful
grandmother who made the best afternoon teas
with fresh pikelets, strawberry jam and cream.
Nan had a beautiful large pink teapot and I was
always told ‘one spoonful of tea for each person
and one for the pot’. Years later when Nan was
very old and after the amazing invention of tea
bags, that beautiful teapot sat on the side board
in the ‘good room’. That’s where Nan kept her
secret money. I remember Mum going to her on
occasions when times were tough and there
were bills to pay. Nan would quietly go to her
teapot, take a note from it, and slip it into Mum’s
hand. What would we have done without our
Nan’s generosity?
“Aeroplane Jelly was Mum’s favourite and she
always made raspberry jelly for a special treat.
Mum always tried so hard to make everything
special when we were growing up. ‘Any colour,
as long as it’s pink’, she would say. That went
for food, clothes, or flowers, she just loved pink
and she was wonderful.
“These three very important people are gone
now, but they will never be forgotten. They are
the people who taught me what it is to be
‘Australian’. So what is so special about being
an Aussie? I would have to say our loyalty, our
generosity, our sense of humour, our fierce
determination, our larrikinism, our sporting
achievements, our fair play and always watching
out for the under dog. We are so fortunate to
live in this wonderful country. Our way of life and
our history, born here or not, is what makes up
proud Australians and we are all Australian.”

Giblin, Sally
St Ives NSW
THE BEST MONEY I EVER SPENT WAS THE ₤10 IT
COST ME TO EMIGRATE TO AUSTRALIA!
ID070
“I arrived in Sydney, aged 22, on a very hot and humid
13 th February 1973 wearing a sueded trouser suit,
suede knee-high boots and socks, polo-neck sweater
and vest (singlet) and waist length hair. To say I was a
little warm was the understatement of the century! My
lone journey took 54 hours, flying Qantas 747, from
London via New York, San Francisco, Honolulu and Fiji
– a route no longer taken by Qantas. I still have all the
menus from the flight.
“I was met by my Godmother… and the first meal she
fed me was Seafood Paella … a meal I have never
forgotten (some of the ingredients I had never heard
about – let alone eaten!) My first surf experience was
at Palm Beach, and being a typical lily-white POM, I
was not a very good swimmer – and short-sighted to
boot. The waves weren’t terribly big, but unfortunately
for me they were “dumpers” and I was thoroughly
initiated by being dumped when I unwisely turned my
back to the sea.
“As a fully qualified State Registered Nurse, I was
employed as a Sister at the Royal North Shore Hospital.
It was there that I met my husband to be … an Intern..
My wages were five times greater than my English
salary and I was so shocked at my first pay, that I went
to the finance Officer to query it … you see I was afraid
they would take it all back the next week!”

Gilchrist, Anthea
Cherrybrook NSW
“Our Citizenship Day”
The artist migrated with her family from South Africa and has incorporated a photograph of her
Citizenship ceremony in her square for the Australian Citizenship Quilt, describing the day as “one of
the happiest in their lives.”
ID089
“When we grew up we had the same kind of freedom that children have here. We could ride our bikes
to the corner shop, we could play in the park, we could be out until dark, without fear. As time went on
South Africa became an unsafe place to live. Crime rates soared, we couldn’t let our children out of our
sight for a minute. We lived behind big fences and gates and had panic buttons and guns to protect
ourselves and our home. Life became very stressful. We didn’t want our children growing up like that…
We were so determined that Australia was going to be our home forever that we applied for our
citizenship as soon as we were eligible. That day we took the oath was one of the happiest in our lives.
We knew that from then on our children would have a brighter future and we could live a happier, safer
life. We have never looked back and we never take for granted how lucky we are to live in such a
wonderful country.”

Gras, Marlene
Griffith NSW
The artist has incorporated an historic photograph of her husband’s pioneer ancestors from Spain c1920
in her square. Her husband is descended from one of the first Spanish settlers and one of the earliest
landholders in the Griffith area, Juan (John) Gras. He was the first of three brothers to arrive in
Australia in 1906, with his siblings, Francisco (Frank), Sigismundo (Peter), joining him in 1911 along
with a nephew, Jacinto.
ID151
“Peter brought with him his only child, son Jaime (Charlie) then 8 years old. Peter’s wife had died
during childbirth. They all came from Villa de Fordera, Spain.”
The brothers and Jacinto worked a vegetable lease in West Hurstville in Sydney, until identifying land in
the Griffith area in NSW.
“In 1916, John, Peter, Frank and Jacinto drew farms 16, 15, 2 and 1134 respectively… Living conditions
were very primitive… Most people lived in ‘bag’ huts, hence the original town name ‘Bagtown’.”
Jacinto passed away in 1920 aged 23 and his farm was sold. John, Peter and Frank all built houses on
their farms after which they travelled back to Spain and returned with brides. Peter eventually moved
back to Spain, leaving his son, Charlie, to take over the farm.
“All members of the Gras family became naturalized Australian citizens.”

Hale, Caitlin
Wahroonga NSW
3A Wahroonga Guides (Aged 8)
“Fish in the Great Barrier Reef”
“One day I hope to go [to the Great Barrier Reef], swim
with the fish and dive for a treasure chest.”
ID280I
Hansen, Jean
East Gosford NSW”
“Not an Alien”
“I was five months old when war was declared in 1939.
All I remember from England is the War, our house
being bombed, food rationing … and moving house
and school.
“In April 1948, I sailed from England, aged nine years,
on the SS Strathaird with my parents and brother.
ID290
“In 1958 I married Arne, a Danish Australian, and we
have five Australian sons, their Australian wives and
now ten Australian grandchildren. In 1966 when I was
going to renew my passport I decided I didn’t want to
be the only non-Australian in the family because when
you come back to Australia you have to go through the
Alien’s gate and I didn’t feel like an Alien.”

Hendricks, Anna
Gordon NSW
3A Wahroonga Guides
“Southern Cross”
“I chose to do the Southern Cross because it is the
symbol on our flag and we are learning the names of
the stars at our guide meeting.”
ID277
Howard, Yvonne
Urunga NSW
No story provided.
ID159
Hyde, Janet
Niagara Park NSW
“I Love a Sunburnt Country” by Dorothea McKellar
“I learnt ‘My Country’ back in the 1960s in Primary
School and have always loved it.”
ID019

Kelly, Sheila
Kirrawee NSW
No story provided.
ID006
Kitto, Marina
Rockdale NSW
“Kiwi Forest Meets Aussie Outback”
No story provided.
ID031
Kleinschafer, Sister Mary
East Maitland NSW
“Proud to be an Australian”
No story provided.
ID139

Lemin, Jean
Cooranbong NSW
“Lamingtons”
The artist and her husband, both nurses, migrated to
Australia from the United Kingdom in 1978 with their
two sons. The artist had worked in Ethiopia for four
years in the 1950s before her marriage, and returned
for a further period as a missionary nurse with her
husband after their marriage.
“My husband tells the story that we came to Australia
because of Lamingtons. It goes like this:
ID026
“We were living in Liverpool, England, and we were
invited to a doctor’s house for tea one Sunday
afternoon in 1975. The couple were both Australian
doctors and had children about the same age as ours.
Part of the tea included these delicious chocolate and
coconut covered sponge-like cakes. [My husband]
asked what they were and our hostess was surprised
that we did not know they were Lamingtons. ‘Well’, he
said, ‘I will come to tea every Sunday for these.’ ‘No
you won’t,’ she said. ‘You will have to come to
Australia before you get these again.’ Three years
later we were in Australia and we just love it and our
sons think it was the best thing we ever did for them.
And yes, our hostess in Liverpool did give us
Lamingtons when we visited them in Sydney after we
had migrated to Australia.”
IID027
Lever, Leonie
Keiraville NSW
The artist was born in Wollongong where she works as
a Geography teacher.
“Wollongong has become a very multicultural city due
to many migrant coming to Australia to work in the
steelworks at Port Kembla… I have studied and
travelled to many countries around the world but I think
Australia is still the best place in the world to live.”
ID022

Levey, Catherine
Braidwood NSW
The artist arrived from Scotland as a 13 year old in
1950 with her mother, father and four brothers and
sisters to the promise of work at an outback station out
of Brisbane which had “nominated” the family. The
artist went on to marry and have four children.
ID063
“After a three-day journey by train, we arrived in the
middle of nowhere at a railway siding. All our goods
and chattels were dumped out with all seven of us. We
waited over an hour for someone to turn up – we were
hot, sticky and dirty. A truck arrived and all of us kids
sat in the back of the truck with our luggage – Mum and
Dad in the front. Forty minutes later we were at the
property.
“Us kids were fascinated by it all – men on horses.
Mum and Dad and all of us went in the back door to
meet the boss who told us that the house they had for
us had burnt down and my older sister would be going
to Katherine to be a maid – my brother would stay and
help at the station with Mum and Dad and us three
younger ones would be sent back to Brisbane to
boarding school.
“My 5’1” mother just asked when the next train would
be coming through and the next day we were dumped
at the siding to await the train. People from all over the
region came and offered my mother and father work
and to give us accommodation. We met truly
wonderful Australians, but Mum and Dad said ‘no’ that
we would go back to Brisbane and start a new life there
where we could finish our education and get good jobs.
That was 55 years ago.
“I am a quilter, gardener and reader. I love my
country.”

Lima, Teresa
Rosemeadow NSW
“Migrating from Uruguay, South America, in 1977 the
only visions we had of our new intended home were
the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House,
thanks to a picture on the wall in the capital,
Montevideo.
ID155
“This was all that we knew about where we were going,
but after 28 years, my family and I know that Australia
is much more than that. It is a beautiful country which
we are proud to call home and proud to be Australian
citizens.”
Constructing quilt squares ID203, 204 & 205
Photo: Courtesy NSW Liverpool Migrant Resource Centre Arabic Playgroup

Liverpool Migrant Resource Centre, NSW
Arabic Playgroup
Families who attend this group have children under the
age of five, living in Green Valley or surrounding areas.
They include Australian/Kuwaiti ,Australian/Pakistani
and Australian/Fijian families. With the help of Arabic
speaking local artists, the families worked together to
contribute a series of three “squares” for the Australian
Citizenship Quilt.
ID203
ID204
ID205
New Bride
One day while I was walking on one of Sydney’s
beaches
I remembered the wedding ceremonies in Pakistan
how the bride sits on a camel
with colourful curtains around her
and is taken to the couple’s new home.
With this beautiful memory
I feel that I am that bride, with all the new possibilities
opening up before her.
The purity of the Australian ocean symbolises the bad
experiences of my past being cleansed away.
Like a new bride
I can start a new life.
I am a new bride everyday
in my new country
Australia.
The Coconut
Coconut, brown, white and pure water.
A present sent to me by my cousin from Australia.
I was a child at the time.
I spent a long time looking at it before I opened it and
decided that my dream was inside it.
A dream to be where my cousin lives
Australia - brown coconut, white hearts and pure
relationships between people.
Australia’s Sun
As I walked I felt the sunshine on my skin.
The Australian sun goes inside my body, washes my
soul with her bright light.
Makes me whiter and lighter.
Gives me the energy to live in this beautiful land, and
take all the advantages it offers to me.
Carrying inside of me the most beautiful bright sun,
Australian sun.

Lloyd, Sue
Lismore Heights Guide Leader NSW
No story provided.
ID096
Long, Elizabeth
Green Point NSW
The artist arrived in Australia in 1947 in the ship
“Johann De Witt” from the Netherlands with her Dutchborn
father and German-born mother. The family
settled in Bronte and became Australian citizens in
1956.
ID062
“We settled quickly into the hot weather climate and
outdoor living, enjoying surfing, campaign, bushwalking
and Christmas picnics. We were introduced to pikelets,
peanut butter, vegemite and baked beans…
Sometimes I feel more ‘Aussie’ than my Australian born
friends, but I will always love ‘wog tucker’.
“My square represents a contemporary windmill.
(Australia is planning many windmills to harness wind
power for clean energy). In Aboriginal ‘dot art’ – the
colours are for bushfires, ocean and bushland.”
In 2001 the artist became involved in the Centenary of
Federation “Peoplescape” exhibition in Canberra in
which 4,000 figures were displayed. In 2003 she was
rewarded for her efforts with the Centenary Medal for
Service to the Community.
“What a privilege to live in this marvellous country.”

Lovett, Patricia
Nyngan NSW
No story provided.
ID230
Lucas, Judy
Roseville NSW
Frenchs Forest Senior Guides
No story provided.
ID286

Magree, Mardi
Faulconbridge NSW
No story provided.
ID059
Mason, Kathy
Narrabeen NSW
“The Best Thing in my Life”
“In 1969 most young people from New Zealand
travelled to Britain for their great adventure. To be
different, I decided to go to Canada, via Sydney, which
I’d never before visited. I arrived here in early
December, fell in love in January and was engaged in
March and married my Aussie bloke [John] in January
1972… In 1988, he passed away. The best thing and
the worst thing in my life happened here. Within twelve
months of John’s death I became a proud Aussie. …
and yes I finally made it to Canada in 2001.”
ID111

Masters, Jean
Coorabong NSW 2265
From designs by Margaret Rolfe
No story provided.
ID016
McAllister, Hannah
Normanhurst NSW
3A Wahroonga Guides
“The koala is my patrol symbol. The koala is a
marsupial and eats certain types of eucalyptus leaves.
They are not easy to see in the trees.”
ID281

McGann, Barbara
Gordon NSW
“The Family Bible & The Sturt Desert Pea”
The artist is a fifth generation Australian, with three
children and five grandchildren. Her ancestor, Mary
Ann Lewis, migrated to Australia in 1834.
“When she arrived in Sydney she was only 18. She
was an educated woman and worked as a nurserymaid
in Parramatta. Her son’s birth in 1836 made him a first
generation born Australian.
ID282
“Mary Ann recorded his birth date in her Bible. This
tradition was carried on by his wife, who recorded the
births of their seven children in the Bible.
“They lived in Rawsonville on a property they called ‘Mt
Druitt’. My grandmother, the eleventh child of their
second son Henry, was raised by her grandparents
after her mother died giving birth to her third set of
twins. The eldest child was ten.
“The family Bible was passed to her and she gave me
the Bible before her death. I am the keeper of a small
part of Australian history.
“I chose to do the Sturt Desert Pea as they are delicate
but hardy plants, just like the children of my ancestors.
The plant has a spreading nature, and I feel that this
plant typifies the growth of my family. From one small
child the family has spread and multiplied across this
wonderful country we call Australia.”

McGregor, Helen
Kellyville NSW
“2005: The Year of My Australian Citizenship”
The artist arrived in Australia from the United States in
the 1960s.
ID024
“After 38 years as a permanent resident, I became a
citizen on Australia Day, to the cheers of my Australian
husband and children. It was a very moving
experience as approximately 1,200 of us recited our
Pledge at Olympic Park in Sydney. From all the lands
on Earth we came and sang with one voice. We are
Australians! My Australian tree is growing well.
“My quilt block uses the traditional log cabin design to
symbolise that my heartland is built upon the solid
foundation of my Pennsylvanian heritage, interlocked
with my Australian heritage.”
McKenna, Lily
Toongabbie NSW
1 st Labour Park Gumnut Guides
No story provided.
ID292

McLeod, Jill
Braidwood, NSW
“Sheep Wheat & Gold”
The artist dedicates her square to honour her father’s
pioneer ancestors who arrived in the Barraba district of
NSW in the 1800s from England.
“One of our family’s prized possessions is a book of
foldout maps on canvas depicting various parts of the
coastline of Australia with only the minimum of detail.
The date on the inside front cover is 1839.
ID199
“The family took up land on the Manilla River and
raised sheep and grew wheat. They also found gold on
the land …
“The name of the property was ‘Barraba Station’ and
has been occupied to this day by direct descendents of
the original pioneer family.
“My block represents the farmland, sheep, wheat and
the metallic thread represents the gold.”
Miles, Ann
Old Toongabbie, NSW
Greater Parramatta Region Guides
No story provided.
ID293

Mills, Elizabeth
Ulladulla NSW
ID177
“Arriving in Sydney in early 1970, from California, I was
dazzled by the beautiful clear blue skies and waters of
Australia. The Opera House was being constructed
and soon became my favourite visiting place. My
Australian husband and I were married nearby and had
our wedding photographs taken on the front steps.
Since then we have enjoyed many operas, concerts,
ballets and the restaurants at the Opera House.
There’s no time or place better to have a glass of
champagne than during a concert intermission
overlooking the harbour on a starry night.”
Mirek, Letitia A.
Lewisham NSW
The artist arrived in Australia from the Netherlands on
14 December 1961.
“Arriving in Sydney Harbour … on a bright, sunny day
was a good start for somebody fleeing cold grey clouds
and an atmosphere of hopelessness that was prevalent
in Holland, as in the rest of Europe, at that time.
ID058
“It was not long after that I heard the infectious laughter
of a kookaburra for the first time. It personified for me
what I like so much about Australia almost right from
the start: an irreverence and light heartedness, a
relaxed she’ll-be-right-Jack attitude…
“Living abroad for differing periods of time in the course
of my work I found nowhere better to live – this is
home! On 9 February 1967, I and quite a few other
people, became naturalised in a wonderful ceremony in
Randwick Town Hall – the culmination of a decision to
throw in my lot with that of all other Australians, as well
as saying THANK YOU for making us feel welcome.”

Moffet, Kte
Turramurra NSW
3A Wahroonga Guides (Age 12)
“Our patrol is called ‘Lorikeets’ after the beautiful green
birds that fly around our suburb. I chose to do a
patchwork of the lorikeets as I enjoy feeding the wild
birds when they come to our backyard.”
ID287
Morris, Caitlin
Wahroonga NSW
3A Wahroonga Guides (Age 9)
“The Trefoil is our Girl Guide symbol. I wear the Trefoil
badge on the left side collar of my shirt when I go to
public meetings.”
ID278
Muir, Barbara
Marayong NSW
The artist migrated to Australia from the UK with her
husband and three children in 1970. They bought a
house (the great Australian dream) in 1973 and took
out Australian citizenship in 1987.
“I am a descendant of Mathew Flinders, my mother’s
name was Flinders, but we didn’t realise how
widespread his presence was in Australia until we
came here.
ID038
“We have had a good life here and although we have
been back to the UK four times to visit relatives, the
best part of the journey is when the plane touches
down in Sydney and we know we are home. This is a
great place to live.”

Pages, Vanessa
Leeton NSW
ID164
See: Catanzariti, Caterina NSW
Pardy, Yvonne
Nyngan NSW
Trefoil Guild (Past Guides/Guide Leaders)
“I love a sunburnt country”
ID231
“I was born and have lived all my life in a small country
town in central NSW. My dad was the local electrician
who was kept busy when the 240 volt mains electricity
came to our area. As a youngster I travelled many
miles with him, enjoying the wide brown landscape
which spread before me. I have always loved this part
of the country. The green of the coastal strip is nice for
a change, but I really love to come back to this
‘Sunburnt Country’.”
Patel, Dami
Ingleburn NSW
“Freedom from Poverty”
The artist was born in Africa where she became a
qualified registered nurse. She moved to India on
marrying her Indian-born husband, and the couple had
one daughter. They struggled to survive and raise her
in India. Later, the artist migrated to Australia where
she began a career with the Macarthur Health Service
in NSW.
ID193
“If only we could go to some foreign country to start
again and I was the only gate way to everyone’s
freedom from poverty... A decision was made and I
migrated to Australia.”

Perry, Monica
Green Point NSW
“Crossroads”
The artist was born in England where her interest in
one day visiting Australia was fuelled by a relationship
with a penfriend she found through the Girl Guides.
She arrived in Australia as part of a world holiday in
1969.
ID291
“I met my husband and we decided Australia would
become home. The friendliness of the people and the
diversity of their cultures were a major factor in my
decision. Of course the climate, the beauty of the flora
and fauna and the unbelievable outback scenery had a
positive influence.
“As the children grew up, we had numerous family
visits to England. As time went on it became very
apparent that Australia really was home to us all.
“In 2000, the year one of our daughters got married, my
husband and I decided to become Australian citizens
… another crossroads in our lives had been reached.
It was a very important step for us to take and much
discussion took place. It is a decision neither of us has
regretted and our citizenship ceremony took place at
the right time in our lives.
“The green and yellow fabrics represent Australia’s
national colours. The Union Jacks are there to depict
my British heritage and the Southern Crosses were
selected to depict my country of choice. Being a citizen
of Australia is a privilege I cherish and not one I take
for granted.”

Power, Julie
Grafton NSW
“Jacaranda”
The artist arrived in Sydney as a six year old with her
family in December 1970 after a six week voyage from
England aboard the ‘Fairstar’. The family first lived in
Merrylands, before building a house at Marayong. The
artist married in 1985, eventually moving to her
husband’s family home in Grafton, NSW.
ID055
“I have lots of happy memories of growing up in
Australia, like learning to swim in my uncle’s above
ground swimming pool, swinging around the clothes line
with my friends and learning the Australian language.
“My girls have been lucky enough to grow up in a
wonderful town with an extended family that they love
all round them. I have never regretted that my family
chose to move to this country. I consider myself one of
the lucky ones.”
Procopis, Dianne
Davidson, NSW
The artist was born in New Zealand and migrated to
Australia with her parents and siblings at the age of 11
in 1964.
ID179
“My paternal grandfather was of Scottish origin and
came to Australia during the gold rush. He served
Australia in the Boer War as a Sergeant in the 1 st
Tasmanian Light Horse Brigade. When discharged he
travelled to New Zealand where he met and married my
grandmother. My grandmother was born in Loen,
Victoria to Scottish parents. The family moved on to
New Zealand. My father having brought us to Australia
– like a boomerang we returned.
“I married a migrant from the island of Kefallonia in
Greece, who came to Australia as a 17 year old in
1949. We are both naturalised Australians and are
proud to be so, ever grateful to live in the ‘Lucky
Country’.”

Reeds, Jo
Penrith NSW
The artist and her husband flew from the UK to
Australia with their four children on 27 July 1968 as “ten
pound Poms”.
ID154
“We were taken to Cabramatta Hostel where we were
to spend our first year on Australian soil. As we did not
know a soul in Australia this was a great benefit to us
as migrants. We made some wonderful friends there,
as we were all in the same boat, struggling to make a
life for our young families. We had been told the
prospects for young families were so much better here
and that has certainly proven to be true.
“Now 37 years later all six of us are very proud to be
Australian citizens. Our family has grown: our four
children have all married, so we now have two
daughters-in-law and two sons- in- law and eight
delightful grandchildren, who are now spread around
this beautiful state of NSW.
“Since retiring in 1999, we have bought a caravan and
can now enjoy travelling around this beautiful, vast
adopted country and we are proud to say ‘we call
Australia home’.”

Rigg, Judy
Berry NSW
“Sydney Harbour Bridge”
ID066
The Sydney Harbour Bridge was the reason my family
came to Australia. My father, Harry Brand, lived in
Middlesbrough, UK… and was employed by Dorman &
Long to help make two of the large pivot bolts at the
base of the Harbour Bridge pylons. Due to their
enormous size and weight, a crane had to be used to
manoeuvre them during manufacture. Dad developed a
great interest in the bridge and a determination to see
the finished product. After marrying in his twenties and
raising two children, the family migrated to Australia in
1957 under the Assisted Passage Scheme.
“We were sponsored by BHP. A telegram greeted our
arrival in Melbourne, stating that employment was no
longer available. We put our hold luggage back on
board the ship and continued on to Sydney and were
transported by bus to the Heathcote Road Hostel, a
disused army camp at East Hill, NSW. Employment
was immediately available for Dad and my brother,
Edward, in the engineering trade.”
Before retiring to Berry NSW, the artist worked in the
health sector, and continues to do much work in a
volunteer capacity.
“Volunteer work is my way of showing appreciation for
being given the wonderful opportunity of living in the
best country in the world – Australia.”
Selby-Morton, Anne
Port Macquarie NSW
The artist is a fourth generation Australian, born in Hay
NSW. Her square of Sydney Harbour Bridge is inspired
by the painter, Blamirc Young.
ID187

Stacey, Gail
Cranbrook NSW
The artist is a sixth generation Australian of English,
Irish, Norwegian and German ancestry.
Her earliest ancestor to arrive in Australia was a convict
sent out from Ireland in 1826 for stealing a sheep to
feed his family. His daughter married a convict guard
and they were among the earliest settlers to arrive in
Wagga Wagga, NSW, in 1849.
ID150
The artist’s great grandfather was a ships cook from
Norway who arrived in Australia in 1866 with his Irish
wife who he married in Boston, USA, en route to
Australia. Their daughter settled in Wagga Wagga as
well in 1892.
“I was born and spent my formative years in Wagga
Wagga where I spent many happy hours playing the
bush among the gum trees on the hill near our home
“Australia is represented in my mind by the scent and
rustle of the leaves in those memorable childhood days.
So my quilt is a simple design representing gum leaves
against a background of our golden brown sunburnt
country. The blue border reminds me that Australia is
an island surrounded by oceans and the most beautiful
beaches in the world…
“I am married to a first generation Australian who
arrived with his parents as a migrant from Britain in
1959. We have four children and seven grandchildren.
We are all very proud Australians and thankful to live in
such a beautiful and free country.”

Sutton, Judith A
Palm Beach NSW
ID061
“The first glimpse of the mighty liner made my heart
jump. Never had I envisaged anything so large or
imagined that it could actually float. As we slowly
passed through Custom’s Hall from one table to the
other, we finally crossed the quay where the mighty
vessel totally overshadowed us. A royal Navy band
began to play and continued to play until we sailed an
hour later. The gangplank looked small and steep.
Sailors greeted us and offered to carry our bags up to
the cabin, listed as ‘A Deck, 6 berth cabin with
Porthole’…
“The black and white MV Georgic was on its secondlast
trip to Australia carrying 2,000 migrants and a crew
of 500… At 6am on Friday 13 May 1949 we sailed
slowly into wonderful Sydney Harbour, docking at Pier
7, Woolloomooloo.
“Almost 20 years after the day of arrival, I became an
Australian citizen in the Council Chambers of the City of
Wagga Wagga. By that time I had qualified as a
teacher, met and married a seventh generation
Australian architect and become the mother of three
beautiful little Australians. All the benefits that my
parents hoped for their children became reality and a
new generation was born.”
Thomas, Elizabeth
Mayfield NSW
No story provided.
ID036

Thorpe, Suzanne & Leon (Dr)
Griffith NSW
The Changing Face of Oz
Australian citizenship is really quite a prize
Folk of other nations look with envious eyes
Those guilty of a felony either small or great
Were sent to found a colony, the start of a new State
ID130
Son and father shipped in chains
to the far side of the earth
Leaving wife and nine kids in the country of their birth
Before they left old England
they heard John Wesley preach
So in their Dural orchard his message they did teach
Free settlers joined the convicts
to make our country great
They helped each other through hard times
and called each other mate
At evening in the orchard shed
the migrant Cossacks danced
And joined in British singing
Each culture was enhanced
ID129
A young man from the goldfields, in Sydney for a trip
Saw a lady bound for Melbourne
So he climbed aboard the ship
Persistence won the lady’s heart,
Helped find the “Welcome” gold
But many shared the nugget’s wealth
so just small shares we’re told
Following generations had various careers
Curators, clerks and lawyer have followed down the
years
Both clans met in Sydney but as crowds got them down
One couple thought it best
to leave the city for the town
They built out where the dusty street had not been
tarred as yet
And like the other folks in town
Knew everyone they met
Now they wouldn’t know the place or people not
because
A hundred different races find their home in good old
Oz

Turner, Stephanie
Peakhurst NSW
“My favourite place in Australia is Sydney Harbour. The
fabric I have used in my squares is a dress fabric I
bought years ago and have saved the off cuts for
something special. This project seems to be the perfect
opportunity.”
ID174
ID175
ID176

Urquart, Elsa
Dural NSW
The artist arrived from the Netherlands in 1959 as a ten
year old with her parents, brother and sister.
ID034
“We arrived in Sydney in November, a very hot day felt
even more so after leaving Amsterdam on a chilly
October morning. The sea journey took six weeks as
we travelled through Panama City, we saw people and
places one could only imagine. From that day our lives
were irrevocably changed. Not only did our journey
take us thousands of miles away from our birthplace,
but the country, language and culture had changed
from something familiar, to a place and a way of life that
at the time seemed so strange and foreign.
“This country became MY COUNTRY and I love it with
the strength and passion of an Australian-born. In my
early twenties I married a wonderful Australian man and
we had five children and now have five grandchildren. I
became an Australian citizen in the mid-70s when my
children were born. I found it only fitting to become a
citizen of a country, its people and a way of life I had
grown to love. To me it means a sense of belonging
and continuation that also has an impact on my children
and theirs. It means a willingness to work towards a
common goal, and that is a commitment toward the
common good of the country that in return benefits our
children. It gives them the privilege to live in a
prosperous and democratic country, where hard work
and commitment is well rewarded.
“Being a new Australian citizen is definitely more than
just a certificate. It is a whole new way of life. A
wonderful way of life.”

Vukoja, Durdica
Fairfield NSW
To You My Land
To you my land saviour, I write these words
You took me in your embrace
After many years of misery, despair
Good Lord heard my prayers
I prayed for you my land
ID049
For far away land, to forget my sorrow
For Australia, my true ardent, desired
In two years of prayers and hope
I was sent to you
Yet another two I’ve spent in the warmth of your arms
You accepted me for eternity
Peace and freedom prevail in you
My tired arms I open wide
In desire to wholly embrace you
I am happy, so happy and live in tranquillity
Thank you almighty God
And you, Australia dear land

Wall, Shirla
Dubbo NSW
“A Journey to Australian Citizenship”
ID307
“I grew up in Singapore and had no idea what I wanted
to do with the rest of my life. I met an ex-patriot
English family who I got to know very well. They asked
me if I wanted to be their live-in nanny for their children
whilst there were living and working in Singapore. I
thought this a good idea, as I wanted to help develop
children as individuals through music, creativity, arts
and craft and multi-linguistics, as I speak four Asian
languages myself. I discovered I had a hidden talent
for connecting with young children.
“I was asked to travel to Australia with the English
family after the husband was transferred to Sydney with
his job. My first impressions of this new country were of
the beautiful native flora and fauna, which were in
abundance everywhere. I was also impressed with the
multiculturalism I found and people’s tolerance of
different races.
“My two most memorable experiences were of “Rocky
Road’ chocolate, and the first time I saw a road sign
saying ‘Beware of Kangaroos’. I thought they were in
every street I travelled down.
“Looking at both sides of the coin, I am very lucky to
have two homes – one in Singapore and the other
Australia – knowing that I could keep my own heritage
intact I chose my own destiny. I married my husband
Michael in July 1995. He is an ambulance officer and
we have chosen to make our home in Dubbo in Central
NSW. I have since completed a TAFE course in
childcare and am now a pre school teacher.”

Watson, Elizabeth
Cooma NSW
&
Gray, Eileen
Mawson ACT
“The Two Sisters”
ID051
The artists fled Shanghai, China, with their mother for
Australia ahead of the Japanese invasion in October
1941. Their father, a British citizen, was captured,
tortured and interned by the Japanese for the duration
of the Second World War. After a period as war time
refugees in Australia, the sisters returned with their
mother to China in 1946, but the family fled again in the
midst of the Communist Revolution in 1949, arriving in
Australia on Australia Day 1949.
“Over the years we have lived here we have enjoyed
the beauties of this country, its many opportunities for
all and the freedom of speech. My sister is especially
interested in conserving the environment, while I have
spent my life making the most of the musical
opportunities afforded to me. While I share my sister’s
love of nature, my great love of music has been the
motivating force in my life…
ID050
“This country has so much to offer those who are
prepared to seize its opportunities and use their own
inborn talents to make the country richer for all. As
Australian citizens we have never been idle and by dint
of hard work have carved out our own niches for
ourselves and our children and grandchildren. Our
parents eventually loved this country and died happy
knowing they had given much of themselves and
shared all that the country had to offer.”

Weatherstone, June
Braidwood, NSW
The artist’s great grandfather was a free settler from
Scotland who came to take up farming in the
Braidwood district, where her family has been ever
since.
“My grandfather was a teamster. He hauled goods and
supplies up the Clyde Mountain from Nelligen to
Braidwood. My father bred superfine Merinos; my
mother was a passionate gardener.”
ID189
The artist dedicates her “square” to her daughter-inlaw,
Olivia.
“[Olivia, a] Singaporean-born Chinese came into my
family with many gifts. First and foremost two gorgeous
little girls… She introduced us to new taste delights
such as steamboat, ‘gado gado’, laksa, rojak to name a
few… My meagre studies of Chinese art had not given
me any insight into Chinese beliefs and culture. My
daughter-in-law has expanded my knowledge and
understanding of Chinese customs and has also
introduced me to the many myths and legends of that
ancient country…
“The central motif is the Merlion, the Symbol of
Singapore looking a little foreign sitting among the
kangaroos, but they are getting on well together. The
sheep are for my father, the flowers for my mother who
could grow pansies as big as saucers in very tough
conditions.”
Weedon, Heather
Point Clare NSW
No story provided.
ID056

White, Carole
Saratoga NSW
“On the 20 th May 1943 I was born at my mother’s
parents’ home in London in the front room during an air
raid. The family had pushed the piano in front of my
mother while she was in labour so if the bombs
shattered the front windows, the glass would not fall on
her. Thus the family saying, ‘Carole was born behind
the piano’.
ID074
The artist on the voyage from England to
Australia aboard the Mooltan in 1949 with
her parents and baby brother.
Becoming an Australian citizens on
27 May 1988 at Blacktown Civic Hall, NSW
“My journey towards Australian citizenship started when
my father was stationed in Australia; serving in the
British Navy during the war … He fell in love with the
environment and the people. When the war was over
he returned to England and tried to persuade my
mother to start a new life in Australia. When my brother
was born six weeks premature, doctors advised that
this would be a good move to help the tiny baby to
thrive, so in May 1949 my parents, younger brother and
myself migrated to Australia. My mother came from a
large extended family, being one of 12 children. On the
trip over she became very sea sick, and for many years
suffered severe homesickness, missing her family very
much. As for myself, being so young (I turned six on
the ship going through the Suez Canal) I had no
memory of England at all. So as I grew and developed
over the years I accepted Australia as my homeland.
“My parents had a third child in Australia – a boy. He
always reminded us that he was the only true Ozzie in
the family. Over the years I addressed the subject of
becoming a naturalised Australian many times, but my
parents became so upset and claimed I was ashamed
of my English heritage, so I would let the matter go in
respect for them. Then in 1988, the Bicentenary, at the
age of 45 I decided it was time. I explained to my
parents, that when you bring young children to another
country to live, you have to accept that is going to be
their home. So I became a naturalised Australian. I
love this wonderful country and I am very proud to be
an Australian citizen. When my mother passed away, I
kept my promise to her and took her ashes back to
England to be placed in her mother’s grave. It was
great to meet my extended family at last, and to see
England and all its history but to use Peter Allen’s
words, ‘I still call Australia Home’.”

Wiencke, Edna
Wagga Wagga NSW
No story provided.
ID095