Crafting of an Australian Citizenship Quilt NSW Contributions

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.”