Find An Aussie

I wasn’t there, I was suburbs away
Watching and waiting for what they would say.
Disbelief and shock at what we were shown
I was not involved, still … it’s too close to home.

People like you, women like me
Working or shopping, why wouldn’t we be?
Centre of Sydney our tree has now grown
Innocence has gone … it’s too close to home.

My father, my brother, my friend it could be.
Less than a month sitting there it was me!
People have now lost the love they had known
I’m feeling your pain … it’s too close to home.

‘Re-focus, move on, t’was not meant to be you!’
I get that, but know what this place means, please do.
It’s our town, it’s our heart, growing up we did roam
This place holds my childhood … it’s too close to home.

I love you, dear Sydney and know we’ll bounce back
We’ll return to your sun, we will get back on track.
But for now we are bruised, battered, but not alone
And that is okay …. it was too close to home.

© Bobbi Chegwyn
16/12/2014

How long has it been since you've lived in Australia? This month is our 6th anniversary of creating our new life in the US.

Andrew Phillips is an Aussie doing great things in the United States!
👇

Brightside Home Care Service is a Aussie family owned and operated home care agency located in Northern Virginia. As a Caregiver for a loved one myself I often found it challenging to source quality care and thus Brightside Home Care Service was born.

We provide professional and quality non medical care in home to assist elderly and people with disabilities to live their best lives.

Our Services include.

We Provide Professional Assistance With: Bathing, Dressing, Personal Hygiene, Companionship, Incontinence Care, Toileting, Bed/Wheel Chair Transfers, Range of Motion, Light Housekeeping and Laundry, Pet Care, Medication Reminders, Transportation, Running Errands, Meal Preparation, Daily Activities Our Personal Care Attendants are carefully selected to meet the clients requirements, back ground checked, fully licensed, insured, bonded and qualified.

www.brightsidehcs.com

Debra's Story:

My husband and I moved to the US officially at the end of 2021. It was not an easy decision to make and it wouldn’t have happened at all if it hadn’t been for the pandemic forcing a redundancy on my husband in Australia.

We worked hard to open doors to make the move happen and left behind two adult daughters and two son in laws and now a grandson as well. We were lucky to have our son already in the US at college so that made the move a little easier.

My husband quickly settled into a new career here in corporate aviation but going back to a corporate job just did not feel right for me. After a lot of thought starting a business felt like the right move to make as an alternative. Having previously run my own business in Australia I knew what work was needed and I spent the start of 2023 getting all in place. In November it was ready to launch.

Humm Soapworks is an all natural bath and body product business. The most important part of our business ethos is that the products are as natural and pure as possible. They must not only be wonderful to use but also wonderful for all skin types and preferences.

Our products are all plant based with some animal milk and bye products in the mix. The products are scented only with essential oils and all the best Australian ones are front and centre.

There is nothing like waking up to a hot shower with the smell of lemon gum and tea tree and lemon myrtle to lather in.

We hope you try out and love our products soon!

https//www.hummsoapworks.comcom

I want to come back as a tawny frogmouth.

When someone tells you tawny frogmouths aren't their favourite bird. 😲

A few months back, the tawny frogmouth came a narrow second in the Guardian Australia / BirdLife Australia Bird of the Year competition and was pipped at the post (literally on the last day) by the swift parrot.

So we thought we'd share just a few reasons we think the tawny frogmouth is amazing:

🐦 They are masters of camouflage and can sit motionless in a tree for hours
🐦 They are monogamous and mate for life
🐦 Their babies are tiny fluffballs with giant mouths.

German researchers in 2021 actually found that the tawny frogmouth was the most “Instagrammable” bird. So even if they didn't make it to number one, they sure are loved.

📷 | Julie Marsh via WIRES

Rental available in LA! Check it out on Find An Aussie via the link below :)

Furnished 1Bd/1BA loft roof deck Retreat in Hollywood Hills Rental Properties posted by on Find An Aussie!.

A warm Find An Aussie welcome to Brad and The Australian Lifestyle Design Studio in Texas!

Brad has been designing custom homes, additions and remodels in Australia and Texas for over 35 years. He was a licensed builder and owned a prefabricated frame & truss factory in Australia. This has given him a lot of insight in regard to cost-effective designs that still have that wow factor.

If you're in the Austin, TX area, check out australianlifestyledesign.com

Jay, an American, was commissioned to write a book about famous churches around the world. Firstly, Jay bought a plane ticket and took a trip to Columbus, Ohio, USA, thinking that he would start by working his way across the USA from East to West. Funny story about calling God on the phone.

On his first day he was inside a church taking photographs when he
noticed a golden telephone mounted on the wall with a sign that read "$10,000 per call".

Jay was intrigued so he asked a priest who was strolling by what the telephone was used for.

The priest replied that it was a direct line to heaven and that for
$10,000 you could talk to God. Jay thanked the priest and went along his way.

Next stop was in Des Moines, Iowa and there at a very large cathedral, he saw the same looking golden telephone with the same sign under it. Jay wondered if this was the same kind of telephone he had seen in Columbus and he asked a nearby nun what its purpose was.

She told him that it was a direct line to heaven and that for $10,000 he could talk to God. Seriously polite, Jay thanked the nun for her help.

Jay then travelled all across America, Europe, England, Japan, New Zealand. In every church he saw the same looking golden telephone with the same "$US10,000 per call" sign under it.

Jay decided to travel to the southern hemisphere to Australia to see if they had a similar phone. He arrived at Western Australia, and again, in the first church he entered, there was the same looking golden telephone, but this time the sign under it read "40 cents per call."

Somewhat surprised, Jay asked the priest about the sign. 'Father Brian, I've travelled all over the world and I've seen this same golden telephone in many churches. I'm told that it is a direct line to Heaven, but in all of them price was $10,000 per call. Why is it so cheap here?'

Father Brian smiled and answered, 'My son, you're in Australia now this is Heaven, so it's only a local call.

How I would LOVE to stay in one of these overwater bungalows!

Maldives Overwater Bungalow Product posted by Map The World Travel on Find An Aussie!.

Gumnut Gatherings is an Australian native wildflower designer, weddings and events planner and manager, and an officiant/celebrant in Southern California.

Owned and curated by a Darwin chick in San Diego named Skii (skee). Gumnut Gatherings brings her unique Australian touch, and her unmatched attention to detail to every occassion.

All florals are grown locally, picked and sourced from female owned properties and wholesalers. If imported flowers are used, they are only from Australia.

Sustainable eco-friendly, and as true to my Australian heritage as possible is the aim of my business. Honouring my late mum and all the incredibly creative women in my family to bring the unique Australian textures, colours and fragrances to everything that I do!

Dried and fresh made-to-order floral designs and arrangements can be shipped nationwide. Just contact Skii to talk about your next event need or wildflower order.

💐Wreaths
💐Eucalyptus Aromatherapy Shower Bundles
💐Dried Flower Ornaments
💐Wearables
💐Fresh & Dried Table Arrangements & Bouquets

instagram.com/gumnutgatherings

You can also follow on Instagram to see more.

Find An Aussie would like to introduce you to two expats doing great things in the US!

Map The World Travel is an all-Aussie team with Jason (Nashville) and Karen (Atlanta) serving the ex-pat community throughout the US.

With more than two decades in the travel industry, our mission is simple: to open up the world for those eager to explore. Whether you're a seasoned traveller or new to international adventures, our combined expertise spans all seven continents.

Specializing primarily in cruising, we also sell holiday packages globally with our trusted partners, all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico and beyond, and so much more. If it's travel, we have you covered!

maptheworldtravel.com

Belle's Baked Goods was founded by Lara, an Aussie expat in the USA looking for a taste of home. Growing up on a farm in Australia, one of her favorite things to do was watch her mother bake. Everything was made with a dash of this and a splash of that and a heaping of love. This inspired her to experiment with her recipes and find the best flavors.

Krista is a trained pastry Chef from NYC, who has worked in some of the top restaurants in NYC and Charlotte. She has a passion for all things sweet and has also found a love for Aussie treats. Together, we are partnering to share delicious goodies to Charlotte and beyond.

bellesbakedgoods.com

How amazing is this? A map of where you can support Aussies doing their thang in the US and keeping us all from losing the plot from lack of pies, sausage rolls and all that we love!

Australian cafes & restaurants in the USA - Google My Maps Whether you're searching for meat pies, lamingtons, smashed avo toast, or a flat white, this is your list of Aussie-owned and inspired cafes and restaurants in the USA.

The Mateship Foundation are doing amazing things in the US!

Our little mate Jonathon came to help hand out water and socks on Skid Row. His mum has joined us for years and this was Jonathon’s first time helping us!

He took his job very seriously and helped put smiles on faces and kept people hydrated! Thanks for your amazing spirit and help mate!

🇦🇺🙏🏻🇺🇸

Meet our newest Aussie business owner, Danielle Barrett who has an awesome business in the US!

Danielle knew that eating dinner together was important, but her busy lifestyle made it nearly impossible to get dinner on the table and her family seated around it.

Not to forget the end of day exhaustion that made conversation stifled and more functional than fun.
She started to wonder, how important is it really?

With research she discovered that it was even more important than she thought, in fact she now believes it is one of the most important meetings you will have all day!

Why? Eating together provides proven benefits for children socially, emotionally and academically, which meant she needed to find a way to make it work.

So, with her teaching background, and help from child experts, she launched Around The Table, providing practical strategies and resources for not only her family but for your family too.

Making connecting through food easier and more fun for everyone!

Founder, Danielle Barrett, Australian mum of 3 currently living in New Jersey USA.

Are you an Aussie with a business overseas? List it totally free on findanaussie.com

Find solace and support in fostering connections with others and create a sense of community that acts as a powerful remedy to the challenges of being far from home.

Because we still call Australia, home.
findanaussie.com

🦘 Calling All Aussie Expats and Travelers Worldwide! 🦘

Exciting news for our global Aussie community! If you've ever yearned for a seamless way to connect with fellow Aussies because so many of us still call Australia home, your wish has been granted!

Here's why you'll love "Find An Aussie" 🇦🇺:

Personal or Business Profile, It's All Free:

Whether you want a personal profile or a combined personal/business profile, it's entirely free. Share your story, connect with others, and let the Aussie spirit thrive!

Precise Location Search:

No more need for 'shout outs' in Facebook groups. With "Find An Aussie," you can search by exact location, making connections more precise and tailored to your needs.

Showcase Your Business:

Own a business? Showcase it on your profile! Display your business logo, website, products, and even share exclusive coupons. It's the perfect platform to boost your Aussie business globally.

Rental, Sale, and House Sitting Opportunities:

Whether you're looking for a place to rent, a home to buy, or a house sitting opportunity, "Find An Aussie" has got you covered. Streamline your search and connect with the perfect living arrangement.

Express Yourself:

Share your thoughts in blog articles, contribute to community discussions, or write articles that resonate with you. "Find An Aussie" is your space to express yourself and engage with like-minded Aussies.

Media Uploads:

Enhance your profile with multimedia! Upload audio, video, or pictures to showcase your Aussie adventures, experiences, and more.

Join the fun and let's build a global community that celebrates our roots and the beauty of being Aussies, no matter where life takes us. 🌏✨

Check it out here: https://www.findanaussie.com

And, as always, share your experiences and be part of our Aussie community. Let's make this space even more vibrant and connected!