Marie Brennan

Story

Hello,

I arrived from Lisbon in Portugal with my mother, Maria Rosa Gomes Mota as my father Antonio Teixeira Mota had arrived from France 2 years earlier. Times were tough in Portugal due to the dictatorship of Salazar, dad had previously immigrated to France and 2 years later decided to take the opportunity to come to Australia, mum and I then joined him. Back in France he had a choice of going to America or Australia, at random he selected Australia. Wonderful choice as I would later discover when I travelled to America as an adult where I heard stories of racism – not something that I really experienced in Australia. I also saw the difference in the Australian people, they were kind and welcoming. Even tolerant to open immigration….

Our journey from Lisbon to Sydney was wonderful, I was 11 years old, my name then was Maria de Fatima Gomes Mota but when everyone called me Maria and then Marie, I guess it was to help me fit in.

The trip from Lisbon to London was exciting I had never been on a plane before, but the long trip from London to Sydney was even more exciting as I was going to see my father which I had not seen for 4 years. Mum was sad because she was leaving her family for such an unknown and far away country. Not me, I was so excited, what a big adventure!

On arrival, I saw my dad, what beautiful sight and of course once again my parents were together. My dad had set up home in Hillsdale, a working suburb in Sydney, the flat was modern, clean and homely. He had a job in the paper mill.

I attended Matraville Public School for 6 months until I was enrolled to go to high school at Maroubra Junction Girls High School. Primary school was wonderful, the teachers were kind, helpful particularly as I did not speak a word of English, just like my parents. On arrival in primary school they give me milk and a pie at lunch time…..I hated milk (still do) and sitting in the sun, it was even worse, but I drank it….I vomited, when mixed in my stomach with the pie…..I hated the food. Today I love pies…!

Loved the open spaces, the culture was a shock since I could not speak the language, yet I enjoyed the new adventure, the school, my family.

I still missed my extended family but was too busy…enjoying the new life in this gorgeous country.

High school was challenging as I had only spent 6 months in primary school and my English was still in its infancy….but I still enjoyed it. I made friends, had boyfriends, gave my parents cheek just like a normal aussie girl.

By this time my mum was working at Berryman furniture, manual but interesting work, but dad bought a taxi. He was now self employed….they worked hard, taught me good values in life and made sure I was safe and well guided.

After a few years, my parents bought with a beautiful little house in St Clair, we were so proud of our home. My parents had managed to work hard, save, educate me, buy a little business to generate a better income and finally bought a home. They had done well by working hard and integrating in this way of life.

After finishing high school, I did a business course and began my career in admin. I was now part of adulthood, had bought a new car, had a nice little job and was living at home. Had Anglo Saxon boyfriends, was not part of the Portuguese community and had integrated into society in a credible and successful manner. We were a migrants success story. Australia gave us many opportunities, we were grateful. When I was 24 years old I married an Anglo Saxon, was married for 15 years, unfortunately we were divorced and did not produce children.

During this time, my parents returned to live in Portugal after my father’s health declined, they wanted to go back and live in their homeland, they remain there. This was now my land, so I stayed even when I found myself in Australia, divorced, no family and alone. It was very difficult at times, with my family overseas, but I had wonderful friends from diverse cultures here who I could not have managed without.

I have had wonderful opportunities, career wise, I have always worked, from having a very successful business in fashion for 10 years, to moving into management positions, and showing the new generation how it is done.

Today, I continue to be part of society, I have my own real estate, am financially independant, pay taxes, contribute to the positive part of society, even do some volunteer work and have wonderful friends. I have a new partner. He is Australian, interested in my culture as I was of his when I first arrived 38 years ago. Finally, I must acknowledge the indeginous, the original custodians of this great land.

Best regards

Marie Brennan (nee Mota)

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