Jemilla shines at the Aussie Consulate

The Australian Consulate-General is the face of the Australian Government here in Hong Kong and offers a wide range of diplomatic and government services to advance Australian interests in Hong Kong. These services include "promoting Australia's key foreign policy and trade objectives and managing Australia's important and dynamic relationship with the Hong Kong Government, in addition to processing visas for those wishing to visit or migrate to Australia." The Consulate-General also provides a variety of services for Australian residents and visitors in Hong Kong, including issuing passports and providing support and assistance to Australians in need.

Hopefully we won't ever need to call on the Aussie Consulate staff because of problems here in Hong Kong. However, we were delighted to visit their offices for a Christmas party on Friday with Aussie families from Craig's work.

This was the view of Hong Kong Island from the window on the 24th floor.


Keegan selected his Holden shirt and Aussie cricket hat especially for the party.



Tirzah liked all the special decorations and Christmas tree.

Deputy Consul-General, David Livingstone, welcomed everyone to the party. He is standing here with Gail Maidment, Craig's boss.

Children from Small World Kindergarten performed their nativity songs, then we all listened to a version of "Six White Boomers".

The star of the show, however, was Jemilla who sang "Aussie Jingle Bells" as a solo, with actions and all. She did a fantastic job, and got a huge round of applause from all the parents and kids.

Dashing through the bush

In a rusty Holden Ute

Kicking up the dust

Esky in the boot

Kelpie by my side

Singing Christmas songs

It's summer time and I am in

My singlet, shorts and thongs!



OH, JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS

JINGLE ALL THE WAY

CHRISTMAS IN AUSTRALIA

ON A SCORCHING SUMMER'S DAY (HEY!)

JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS

CHRISTMAS TIME IS BEAUT

OH WHAT FUN IT IS TO RIDE

IN A RUSTY HOLDEN UTE



Engine's getting hot

We dodge the kangaroos

Swaggy climbs aboard

He is welcome too

All the family is there

Sitting by the pool

Christmas day, the Aussie way

By the barbecue!



Come the afternoon

Grandpa has a doze

The kids and Uncle Bruce

Are swimming in their clothes

The time comes round to go

We take a family snap

Then pack the car and all shoot through

Before the washing up!

Then it was time for a quick visit from Santa who thrilled all the children, except for Tirzah who was terrified, by giving them each a wrapped present.

Jemilla's present was a fancy diary in which she immediately recorded some of her private thoughts and feelings while Keegan and another boy played footy with the Aussie Head Honcho.

We had a great time at the party as you can see from our happy faces and Tirzah's hopping kangaroo actions!

I took a peak in Jemilla's new diary. "I feel happy this afternoon," she wrote, "and everyone is congratulating me. I guess they like me and 'Aussie Jingle Bells'. I've felt happy all this time."