Nils Nilsson
| Town/City | Macgregor |
|---|---|
| First name | Nils |
| Last name | Nilsson |
| Country of Origin | Sweden |
| Date of Birth | 26/03/56 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1981 |
| Submitted by | Eileen Nilsson |
Story
Nils missed out on a visa to Canada so he travelled to Australia at 25 years of age instead, eager to see something new and far from home. He has always been a traveller, via books or on a plane.
Nils got a train from Varberg to Copenhagen and flew with Scandinavian airlines to Bangkok and then Thai airlines to Sydney.
He arrived late at night and was struck by the number of men walking around in shorts, even at the airport. Shorts were something worn in leisure time during the summer in Sweden.
Nils stayed in Australia 6 months on this trip, returning in 1985 for a further 2 years of Australian life, working as a formwork carpenter on many of the highrises in and around Sydney.
He then came back in 1987 for a last look before settling in Sweden, but instead he met Eileen and made his home with her in Australia. They have three children, two boys and a girl.
All the family speak both languages, are familiar with both cultures and can appreciate that both countries have lots to offer.