A MESSAGE FROM OUR ACTING PRESIDENT
Happy Australia Day and a Happy Waitangi Day 2021!
25 Janurary 2021
Dear members and colleagues,
Over the last decade, it has been our tradition to host a family barbecue at the Australian Official Residence in Mexico to commemorate the Australia Day and Waitangi Day festivities. This year, due to the unprecedented pandemic the world is still facing, we are unable to organise this activity.
We will definitely miss the prawns on the barbie, seeing your children play cricket on the Ambassador’s lawn, and most of all, the ANZMEX family camaraderie. However, the most important thing is for all of us to remain safe and healthy. We will need all our strength, ingenuity and compassion to overcome COVID19 and then do our part in the economic recovery that will follow.
I have decided to send this message today: one day before Australia Day is officially celebrated and one week before New Zealand’s Waitangi Day on 6 February. Both celebrations reflect the diverse societies and landscapes of these two great nations and are marked by community and family events, and with a deep respect for the first nations peoples of our beautiful countries. Now, more than ever – and despite the social distancing we still have to endure – family support, meaningful connections, understanding and empathy among people, communities and countries are values that will determine our future and guide us towards the bright light at the end of this tunnel.
I take this opportunity to send my condolences to all of you who have lost loved ones during these difficult times, and my support and solidarity to those of you who are dealing with illness or economic hardship. I urge you to remain hopeful. I am certain that next year we will be able to gather together, celebrate and feel the warm embrace of laughter, friendship, and prosperity.
On behalf of ANMZEX, I wish you all a Happy Australia Day and a Happy Waitangi Day.
Kate Brown de Vejar
Acting ANZMEX President
