Anne Heath Mennell

Citizenship redux

6/5/2021

The Australian passport isn’t all it was cracked up to be.

By Anne Heath Mennell

POST readers may recall that I have written on this matter before. I thought I had said everything I wanted to say but I was wrong. The current ban on arrivals from India has generated great debate, a lot of heat, a little light and has set me thinking about citizenship once again.

First, it is worth remembering that one in three Australians was born overseas and still has strong links with families and places elsewhere. I am one of them. Many will be lucky enough to have dual citizenship – I am one of those, too. However, people from India must renounce their original citizenship if they become Australian citizens. Their only support in a crisis has to come from the Australian Government.

1 Comment

One of us?

5/3/2020

2 Comments

A resident of Hubei province on a near deserted street during the Chinese new year celebrations.

By Anne Heath Mennell

CITIZENSHIP is in the news – again. The COVID-19 outbreak has raised questions about the responsibility of governments for their people overseas, caught up in situations outside their control. The press has been talking about “Australians” who have been “abandoned” in Wuhan or Hubei province.

It is not clear whether these are people who have Australian citizenship or who have permanent residency. It would appear that some may have dual Australian/Chinese citizenship and that this has complicated what China would allow in terms of evacuations and therefore what Australia was able to do to help them. Some of those left behind have talked about feeling abandoned by Australia. I’m sure I would feel the same, in their situation.

2 Comments

My first bushfire

7/2/2019

2 Comments

Grantville fires, February 2, 2019. All photos: Geoff Ellis

By Anne Heath Mennell

IT WASN’T supposed to be a high risk fire day last Friday. I was away from home most of the day. Coming down Anderson hill, with the Waterline laid out before me, there was an ominous column of smoke rising out of the bush on the eastern side of the highway. The smoke seemed to be leaning across the highway, which suggested the wind was blowing from the east. That would blow smoke and the fire onto my side of the highway.

I stood with neighbours at the back fence, looking across the paddocks towards the hills. The smoke seemed to be shifting as we watched helicopters and planes buzzing around and through it. I couldn’t see any flames or fire glow but the vegetation was obviously well alight. We were at the mercy of the wind. If it shifted from the south it could destroy the Adams estate, Grantville and the nature reserve all the way up to the Gurdies. From the east, it would blow ash, embers and flames towards Tenby Point, Corinella and Coronet Bay.

2 Comments

The web of life

4/10/2018

2 Comments

Honeyeater in hakea. Photo: Catherine Watson

Honeyeater in hakea.
Photos: Catherine Watson

A garden is more than its plants. It’s also a refuge for birds, mammals, amphibians, insects, bats, plants, fungi and even bacteria.

By Anne Heath Mennell

THOSE of us in Bass Coast lucky enough to have a garden are probably full of plans for planting, tending and developing our plots before the onslaught of summer. Research is demonstrating the many ways that gardens and gardening can improve our physical and psychological health. In National Gardening Week, spare a thought for those who have no gardens at all, or only a tiny courtyard or balcony, and who miss out on the benefits.

2 Comments

True blues

4/7/2018

4 Comments

In 42 years, Anne Heath Mennell has never had to prove her Australian status or justify her loyalty. But then she's white ...

4 Comments

Being Aussie

20/9/2017

3 Comments

For a blissful few seconds, before becoming an Australian citizen, Anne Heath Mennell was a free woman, owing allegiance to no one.

3 Comments

Our disappearing gardens

31/1/2015

0 Comments

Without trees and gardens, our suburbs and cities will be much bleaker places, argues Anne Heath Mennell.

0 Comments

The system's broke - fix it!

11/10/2014

0 Comments

As residents of Sunset Strip are discovering, special charge schemes can be expensive and traumatic, writes Anne Heath Mennell.

0 Comments

Congratulations, Cape!

12/4/2014

0 Comments

Tenby Point's new suburban streetscape could be in Cranbourne East or Deer Park. Photo: liz Low

Anne Heath Mennell is glad Cape residents won their battle to protect their village, and only wishes she’d been able to do the same for Tenby Point.

0 Comments