» Read the Tagalog version of this story
Author: Melinda Lidbetter
Storyteller: Mrs Clavel Pritchard
Community Language School: The School of Philippine Studies
Main School: Hunter Performing Arts High School
Marrying an Australian meant moving to Australia. What an adventure.
1. Q … Where do you come from?
A … I came from the Philippines.
2. Q … Describe the City/Town/Village Place where you live.
A … I was born in Mahayahay, Lemery Batangas, but grew up in San Andres, Manila.
3. Q … What was your house like.
A… In Manila, We lived in a two storey flat similar to what you have in Sydney, but in Batangas, it was like the house we have now in Medowie with lots of trees and far from the city.
4. Q… Describe a typical day for your family- what did you do?- what work did you do?-
What work did you/father/ mother do?
A … When my father was still living, he was a businessman and my mother was a housekeeper only. My siblings, the eldest one was a girl who is in France, the second who is a boy is a mechanical engineer and the third one is a teacher.
5. Q …Describe a special day for your family-celebration like a Birthday or a Festival?
A …Special days for us are Birthday, Christmas and New Years's Eve.
6. Q… Ask if the person remembers any Stories/ Rhymes? Recipes from their country.
A… Our Songs we used to sing were Leron-Leron sinta and Bahay Kubo.And the recipe was grilled milk fish wrapped in Banana leaves.
7. Q… Why did you leave in the Philippine?
A… I left my country because I married an Australian.
8. Q… How old were you when you left your country?
A… I left when I was 23 years Old.
9. Q… Why did you come to Australia?
A… As I said. I came to Australia because my husband is an Australian.
10. Q…Where did you live when you first arrived in Australian?
A… We live at No. 17 Wilga Rd. Medowie
11. Q… What did you think of Australia when you first arrived?
A… Experience upon arrival was being told by my husband to eat mashed Potato.
12. Q… What was it like to learning English? Is English difficult for you when you arrived in Australia?
A… No is not hard because I studied in school.
13. Q… Have you been back to your country? Has it changed?
A… Yes, I came back to the Philippines in 1994, there are lots of changes it was much busier then.
Melinda M. Lidbetter……… Thank you Mrs. Pritchard
Mrs. Pritchard……. You're welcome, It is a pleasure to talk to you Melinda.
