Down Under Is Up / What’s Waitangi?

It was the first time Ambassador Ruth Pearce was hosting Australia’s National Day celebration after her tenure in Russia yet nearly 400 guests came. In remarks delivered before she exchanged toasts with former Ambassador to Australia Della Albert, Ms. Pearce signified that Down Under means "up". I quote: "We’re boasting just a little in celebrating our National Day: over the last decade Australia topped the list as the world’s highest growth developed economy. The UN Index ranks Australia the second country in the world for ‘quality of life’ (after Norway)."

Ms. Pearce also revealed that there are 180,000 Fil-Australians Down Under. "Multi-culturalism and our constant need to engage the world–these are the dynamics that have shaped our success and given us an ‘edge’ in this intensely competitive global village."

The young, charming ambassador took note of long-standing Phil-Australian friendship.

"Friends sometimes have differences; that is normal. Friendship ensures that the differences are tackled constructively and do not compromise the broader interests that bind the friendship."

At a later get-together dinner Ms. Pearce hosted for friends who had been to Australia and diplomats who had served there, she gave further substance to her remarks on National Day: "We usually celebrate it very informally, at the beach or around a barbecue or watching a game of tennis or cricket. This fits well with our image as informal, out-door and sporty, down-to-earth people."

With the hostess herself giving the cue, guests had a wonderful time feeling relaxed and just being themselves. Russian Ambassador Anatoli and Valentina Nebogatova regaled "Toti" del Rosario, Enrique and Letty Syquia, Brian and Leslie Murray, Susan Manzon, Honeybee Hubahib, Dr. Klaus and Pinky Zeller and John Silva with folksy jokes.

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What is Waitangi Day? In welcoming guests to New Zealand’s National Day celebration, Ambassador Terry Baker–he and his wife Jan are one of the friendliest, most hospitable couples along diplomatic row–finally explained: "After over 160 years, it is still a day of debate but part of the fabric of a relatively new nation in the South Pacific.

"New Zealand, Aotearoa, was very much at the end of the line for those Pacific explorers who ranged out from this part of the world several thousand years ago, and the land they found was one of the last land masses on earth to be settled. These Austronesian ancestors of the modern Maori remained virtually isolated for many centuries but Europeans did finally appear on the scene and the Treaty of Waitangi was the covenant signed between the British Crown and Maori leaders–an exchange of sovereignty for guarantee of rights."

On my way out, I saw Cambodian Ambassador and Mrs. Ek Sereywath, Msgr. Antonio Franco, Indian Chargé Gauri Shanker Gupta and Singaporean Chargé Paul Koh. All must have been enlightened as they left behind a teeming, spirited throng of Waitangi well-wishers.