Welcome Message
A Chairde Gael is a Chairde uilig
Is cúis áthais is bhróid dom gur ceapadh mar Ambasadóir na hÉireann chun na hAstráile, Fidsí, Nua-Ghuine Phapua, Oileáin Sholomón agus Naurú mé.
I am delighted and honoured to have been appointed as Ambassador of Ireland in Canberra and to have the opportunity to contribute to Ireland’s relations with Australia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and the Republic of Nauru.
While this year Ireland and Australia celebrate 75 years diplomatic relations, our connection to Australia and other countries in this region dates from the earliest times of European settlement. This is a very valuable and important relationship for us. As with all countries impacted by COVID, the past 18 months or so have been particularly challenging and connections between Ireland and Australia have been more virtual than real. However, the manner in which Irish communities all across Australia have responded and offered support to each other has been very encouraging and reassuring.
I am also confident that both Australia and Ireland have the resources to make a full recovery and in some cases to “build back better”. For my part, I am happy to do whatever I can to strengthen the connections between Ireland and Australia and with the Irish community in Australia.
It is a very interesting time to be in Australia and I look forward to working with all my colleagues at the embassy, with our colleagues at the Consulate General in Sydney; with our Honorary Consulate in Perth; with Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Bord Bia in looking to maximise the impact of Ireland here.
I also look forward to working with the many voluntary groups all across the country who are working to support their communities and to promote Ireland’s agenda in Australia. I hope I can count on your cooperation as we all face the challenges ahead of us and seek out the opportunities that undoubtedly exist.
Le mór-mheas
Tim Mawe
Ambasadóir na hÉireann