Michelle Bates
| First name | Michelle |
|---|---|
| Last name | Bates |
| Country of Origin | UK |
| Date of Birth | 4/7/1968 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1991 |
| Submitted by | Michelle Bates |
Story
I had always wanted to see Australia and as a 21 year old the prospect of living here was very exciting. I also needed a fresh start after some traumatic personal issues. My partner at the time was a citizen and he sponsored me. My application was successful and this has been my home ever since.
The hardest thing for me was to leave all my family behind, especially my beloved Dad and my younger sister by 7 years. On the journey over I spent some time in America and then New Zealand.
I will never forget the day – we arrived on a beautiful Sydney morning and the plane came in over the harbour. What a spectacular sight! All the pictures I had seen in books and all the images on TV – nothing prepared me for that sight. The blue water, the stunning Opera House and Harbour Bridge. There was a collective gasp from all the passengers on the plane as the full glory of Sydney hit us. It was a fantastic start to my new life here.
We first moved to Avalon on the Northern Beaches. In 1995 I became an Australian Citizen and it was a very proud moment for me. I remember singing the National Anthem and getting very emotional! After my second son was born we moved to the Southern Highlands, and shortly after this my marriage ended. A few months later I met and married a wonderful man and I relocated to his home in Canberra. We have had a son together and now enjoy a fantastic lifestyle with 3 boys and a recently renovated house in Macarthur.
Canberra is a wonderful city to bring children up – we have access to so many opportunities here. The children and my husband are keen mountain bike riders and Canberra provides wonderful bushland for them to explore. I enjoy horseriding and walking and the fact that Canberra is such a safe city enables me to do those things regularly.
I have had quite a few family visits during the time I’ve lived here and have enjoyed showing off this wonderful country to everyone.
My happiness has only been marred recently by my beloved Dad’s cancer diagnosis in December 2005, which resulted in me travelling to the UK three times in 2006. Unfortunately he passed away in August 2006. However hard it is to be away from the rest of my family in the UK, Australia is still my home and I am very proud to be called an Australian.