Teaching in Australia

Unknown artist

I lived in Australia from 1989-1991 and then again in 2009 while on career break. I am originally from Newbridge, Co. Kildare. I got my Australian citizenship while there and have brought my Australian passport with me. I qualified as a teacher in 1988 and also got married that year. I was the eldest child of seven and the first to go abroad, to seek work. I arrived in Australia in June 1989 and registered with the Western Australian College of Teaching and began working almost straight away, teaching Home Economics and Economics. I taught at John Forest Senior High School in Perth. In 2009, while on career break, I spent some time working as House Mother in Iona College, Perth. It was established by Presentation Nuns, I had previously taught in a Presentation College in Newbridge. A couple called the Walkers from Newbridge welcomed us and put us up until they found their own accommodation. I have with me a drawing of a church in Cottesloe, near my favourite beach. The church is called St. Mary's, Star of the Sea. I also have a poem given to me by the students of Iona College. My son was born in April 1991 in Australia. I applied for citizenship as soon as she could, and then we returned as a family to Ireland in October of that year. My son has since returned to Australia for work and his citizenship has proved very useful. It has also made it easier for the family to visit. I also have a photo of her uncle Frank, a priest who went to California to Laguna Beach, and my uncle Martin, a lawyer who went to San Diego. My six aunts were all nuns.