Two special things happened this week – Harmony Day and my 65th birthday! While I am joking about my birthday being special, it did turn out to be one I will always remember.

But first to Harmony Day. This is a day when Australians celebrate their cultural diversity. It’s a day for cultural respect for everyone who lives in Australia. The school here in Nhulunbuy organised some fabulous activities. Unfortunately, at the very start of the celebrations, there was a massive storm that lasted all day and caused a power failure. It meant that the afternoon had to be cancelled which was such a pity. However, what did go ahead was lunch and a traditional dance by some of the Yolngu girls. It was beautiful.

I had also looked forward to the boys playing the didgeridoo but sadly that wasn’t able to happen.

The previous day, the Yolngu students went fishing with spears and came back with dhu fish, yabbies and mud mussels. They made a delicious fish curry and damper for us all to enjoy for lunch on Harmony Day.

It was such a pity about the storm; the grounds of the school were flooded and the power was out which made for an interesting afternoon of teaching.

My birthday fell on the weekend and John suggested we go out to Latitude 12 for coffee. Vanessa and the children joined us. Kyran worked nightshift so was still asleep but little Evie, Tommy’s friend came along too. It was lovely. We had thought we might have a camp fire on the beach in the evening but storm clouds were still hanging around so we decided just to have a celebration drink at home.

On the way back from coffee I realised we were on the wrong road home but John said he thought we’d go for a drive. After a few minutes we turned left off the road towards an Aboriginal community called Galupa. I told John we shouldn’t go in there without permission but he kept going then stopped the car and got out. I had no idea what was going on but he had actually commissioned one of the Yolngu artists, Mary, to paint a traditional painting for me. He knows how much I love them! I felt very overwhelmed with surprise but also because I’d already had my birthday presents from John, Tayler, Kyran, Vanessa and the boys – gorgeous matching Embella bracelet and anklet which I love. But here I was being presented with an amazing painting where the paint wasn’t quite dry! In fact I had a choice between two – the one just finished of a waterlily (or nyamnyam in Yolgnu) and one Mary had just started of a crocodile. Although I chose the Nyamnyam painting, I was intrigued watching her paint lines on the other with what I discovered was human hair! This photo is of me with my beautiful gift and the artist, Mary, sitting next to her mother, Gayili.

As we drove out of the Galupa, we saw a new friend, Sue. She was helping a Yolngu lady take red and black bead seeds off the trees. I was quite fascinated by what they were doing. Later, Sue came round for a drink and presented me with a red and black necklace, bracelet and earrings set made from the bead seeds by the Yolngu women! I was so thrilled.

In the late afternoon, some family and friends came around to the house for birthday drinks. It was a hot evening. John had put up balloons and Vanessa had set the tables outside beautifully with candles and flowers and shells and a ‘happy birthday’ sign. It looked so beautiful!

I had a magical evening. I was really overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of our Gove family and friends. Sam had made an amazing Pimms punch, Glenn brought me some freshly caught and cooked crabs for lunch the next day, everyone brought gifts as well as lots of food and drink and we had a great time.

As if all that wasn’t enough, Kylie (in blue in the photos!) surprised me later in the evening with the most amazing chocolate and salted caramel birthday cake which she made. Wow!

At the end of the night I remarked to Drew what a wonderful day I’d had and how I was overwhelmed by everyone’s kindness and generosity. He replied “that’s what we do; we are a family and we make sure we make a fuss of each other because we don’t have our real family here”.

And they certainly do it well!