Commonwealth Stories

We’re keen to hear ways in which the Commonwealth has shaped your life. It could be in a small way or totally transformative. Perhaps you have roots in one country, but live in another. Maybe you moved to another Commonwealth country to study or work – or maybe your parents did and that, in turn, resulted in a new way of life for you.

Do you have a story to share? We’d love to hear it. Email us at [email protected] with the subject line ‘Commonwealth Stories’. We will showcase selected stories on the ACU social channels and website.

Here are some questions to help inform your story:

• Where were you born?
• In which Commonwealth countries have you lived?
• Do you have links to other Commonwealth countries via family or marriage?
• Have you studied/worked in another Commonwealth country? If so, why did you choose that path?
• Has being a Commonwealth citizen afforded you opportunities you may not have had otherwise?

Please tell us about those experiences.

Your stories

Keren Elton: from Canada to the UK – “My family history and personal experiences are a wonderful representation of the spirit of the Commonwealth.”

Annabel Boud: from Australia to the UK via Fiji and Sri Lanka – “I learned not to take anything that I have for granted; to be open to new experiences and points of view.” 

Pippa Jackson: from the UK to Australia and back again – "I feel incredibly privileged to hold two Commonwealth passports – British and Australian." 

Professor Deep Saini: from India to Australia – "My journey on this road began long before the Commonwealth was founded or I was even born, and it has marked everything I am today.”

Naivasha Mwanji: from Africa to the UK – "It was a life-changing experience that kick-started my passion for travelling and seeing the world.” 

Ben Sturt: from the UK to Australia – “Despite being bitten by very large ants and attacked a few times by wild bull camels, I fondly remember my time in the desert."