How I became an Australian Ambassador?

As a young Sri Lankan born girl growing up in the north-eastern suburbs of Melbourne I never thought I’d be representing Australia overseas.

My parents took the brave decision in 1973 to leave behind their homeland, family, and a life that they enjoyed, to venture to a new country with two children under the age of four. They were heading off to a new home –one that was not completely unfamiliar to them, but which held so many unknowns. Migrating to Australia from Sri Lanka for them was really a ‘let’s see how this goes’ sort of thing.

This life-changing decision was motivated by a desire to explore new possibilities. They were curious to see what lay ahead and eager to give their children access to every opportunity that was available in a country that was itself developing. They were willing to work hard and to make the most of it.

My childhood was filled with a true mix of Sri Lankan and Australian experiences – from big family curry nights with the ‘oldies’ dancing baila to sitting on a picnic blanket watching the local footy. We wrote aerograms to our grandparents in Sri Lanka and cheered Australia II on as it won the 1983 America’s Cup race against all odds. I recall my dad cooking chops and sausages on one half of the barbecue while my mum roasted her curry spices on the other – and our Italian Australian neighbour popping her head over the fence to tell us how delicious it smelled.

My parents loved to entertain. Our house was regularly filled with family, friends and their work colleagues – Sri Lankans, Greeks, Brits,Germans, Australians, Indians, etc. There was always a smorgasbord of food of every variety.

We went on driving holidays to the north of Brisbane, South Australia, Canberra and down the Great Ocean Road. The family took a strong interest in what was happening in the wider world too – we travelled overseas, we talked about what was going on in the world, and the news and current affairs were a constant feature on our television screen.

It was a busy and varied childhood, filled with love, laughter, lots of ‘aunties’ and ‘uncles’ of almost every ethnicity.

When it came time to choose a career path, joining the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) happened almost by accident. I was coaxed by my brother to sit the Public Service Entrance Exam but didn’t really think too deeply about it. I had a good job and was happy in Melbourne. Months and months later, after sitting various tests and interviews (including one I attended at the High Commission in Colombo while I was on holiday) I found myself accepting a graduate position with DFAT. It meant leaving Melbourne to resettle my life in Canberra and transitioning into the public service. With a little hesitation I said, ‘why not?’ and I suppose that was my own ‘let’s see how this goes’ moment!

I didn’t expect then that I would have what is now a 29-year diplomatic career, including six overseas assignments, or have the good fortune to be involved in some of the most interesting aspects of government service. And I could never have imagined that I would one day be privileged to be theAustralian Ambassador in Zimbabwe, leading the team prosecuting Australia’s interests in south-east Africa.

How did I get here? Well, there are many ways to answer that question. The support of those around me, a strong education, broad experience, good mentors, and sound advice all played their important parts. But, at the core, it was my Sri Lankan Australian upbringing and what that instilled in me.

It made me curious. It gave me a genuine appreciation and respect for different cultures and a thirst to understand more about the world. It taught me the importance of community and coming together. It made me recognise and acknowledge both my historical roots and lived experiences in equal measure and it showed me the value of taking chances and making the most of it!

So, I suppose that’s how a young Sri Lankan born girl who grew up in the north eastern suburbs of Melbourne ended up representing Australia overseas!