Archive for June, 2011

Pierre, in Australia since 47 years!

Thursday, June 2nd, 2011

Pierre is seated in his living-room. In the background is an aboriginal piece of work.

Visit the photo gallery : Pierre

In his quiet and peaceful apartment Pierre is telling me his story. I’m feeling like I`m in a museum… Pierre’s hobby is aboriginal art and he has been collecting paintings, objects and sculptures for years that are decorating his cozy apartment. He is one of the first to pioneer the collection of this kind of art. But because he has moved out of his big house by the beach to a smaller apartment in the heart of the cultural capital of Australia, Sydney, he has had to sell a part of it. He is now 69 years old and has been living in Australia for 47 years. Here are his words…

I was born in Tourcoing (north of France) on 11th of April 1942. I studied marketing and textile in a famous high school in this area, which was at this time the capital of French textile. Woolen industries of Roubaix/Tourcoing were famous all over the world. When I went into the army and a small woolen company who had a branch in Australia since the 1900’s has hired me.

Pierre enjoys books and wine. This book is open at a page which depicts aboriginal rituals. artistic creations are the results of these rituals. Just near an Australian rosé.

When I turned 22 in 1964 they sent me to Australia (12th Aug) with a 3 year contract that has been renewed again and again. And now, that’s an old story as I am still living here in Australia.

I had to buy wool in suint (from sheeps) at the trade market with the quality that was demanded by European clients. Markets were at the north of Australia : Sydney, New Castle, Goulburn and then Brisbane. I was travelling there by car or plane.

After 22 years the company closed so then I began working for our Australian broker on purchasing, and no longer selling wool. I had to deal with the French and Italian clients, as well as with Chinese, which led me to travel over there 8-10 times per year.

When I was around 50 years old I decided to work for myself in my house in a small office. The fax and mobile era gave me a total freedom. My house was by the beach. I was wearing shorts and had my feet in the send every day! I became an agent for Chinese government al Cooperations. and had my feet on the send ! I became an agent for Chinese government al Cooperations.

Details of an aboriginal painting. Little spots are usually realised on the ground with color pigments on the sand. Artist : KATHLEEN PETYARRE , 122 c m x 122 cm, 2005me le sol, sur le sable, avec des pigments. Artist : KATHLEEN PETYARRE , 122 c m x 122 cm, 2005 -Artiste represente dans plusieurs musees dont celui de Lyon et Quai Branly.

At age 56 and thanks to the Australian law I could access to my retirement funds.

My emigration has been a dream come true because I came here when I was 22 years old, with a 3 year contract and 2-3 months of holidays per year with expenses included. It does sound too good to be true! When I turned 27 I became the only person in charge of purchasing at the branch. I was often working 60 to 70 hours per week excluding transport hours. But I was my own boss. Every second year I would come back to France to visit the Head Office. And then when I was working for the Australian company I would go back to France every one or two years.

Morning ritual : Reading the news paper and on sunny days on the balcony. Behind him the financial district of Sydney, the famous Harbour bridge and the botanical gardens.

When I arrived here in 1964 the French community from the North of France was quite large. After two years of living here I realized that if I wanted to improve my Australian integration, I would need to keep myself separate from French community. In 1967 I met my partner Ken and we’re still living together after 44 years. Ken was studying pharmacy at Sydney University and he is now retired after owning several pharmacies.

Being gay in Australia during the 60’s never gave me any problems. I have been accepted by Ken’s family really quickly, although they are very conservative being from the north of France. My parents treated Ken like a second son and few of my uncles accepted him as family. We traveled often to France – last year for example we have been living there for 4 months (in Provence, south of France), we rented a country house in a small village.

Every mornings at 10 a.m you can watch the French news on an Australian channel. Pierre tries not to miss it.

Of course I missed my French family at first. But little by little it has been replaced by Ken’s family and our friends who come from Australia and all over the world (South Africa, Germany, Britian, Scottland, Irland etc), gay and straight. During our New Year Eve’s party for example there was 14 of us with 9 different nationalities, but we have all now become Australians !

Yes, I have kept my French passport but I don’t know why… I prefer to travel with my Australian passport now because when I’m travelling with Ken we both have the same. Yes, I have had the Australian nationality since 1975. So I’m voting (which is compulsory here, otherwise you get a fine) and I am following the Australian politics closely.

Aboriginal owl. Utopia - Artist : EMILY KNGWARREYE - Hauteur 51 cm – 1996/1997.

After so many years abroad I am now feeling fully integrated with such traditions as the Australian day or Anzac Day… when we are then having a time with our friends. For Anzac Day, we wake up early, at 3 a.m to go to the monument of the Unknown Soldier in Sydney for the emotional ceremony at 4 A.M. to commemorate the lost battle of Galipolli (Turkey) where millions of Australians and New Zealander volunteers have been. Because I’m coming from the Flandres where World War 1 (1914-1918) occurred and as Australia had suffered a great loss too, to be here during this ceremony has became a yearly obligation.

A message to people who want come to visit us in Australia… Leave your pre-existing judgments (racial, religious, sexual… and others…) overseas. You will feel lighter and born to live again.