'When times are tough, that's when it's hardest to be living away from home'

Athlone woman Brenda Frawley is living in Perth, Western Australia, with her husband, Damien McVeigh from Tyrone, and their two and a half year old son, Oscar McVeigh.

Brenda recently answered these questions for our 'Christmas Away From Home' feature in the Westmeath Independent.

* Where are you from originally, and how long have you been living in Perth?

Born and bred in Athlone town! I was one of the last babies to be born in St Vincent's Hospital. I grew up in Coosan West, then studied and worked in Waterford and Dublin before deciding to go travelling 'for a year' back in 2008. I am now living in Australia for almost 13 years.

I settled in Brisbane, where I met my now-husband, and we lived there for eight years. Then we ventured back to Ireland in 2014, to get married, before deciding to make the move to Perth six years ago. Living in Perth, we’re one flight closer to home.

* How was 2020 for you?

Like for everyone, it's been really difficult. When times are tough, that's the hardest time to be living away. Being over here and facing the scary, unknown challenge of Covid-19 has been hard but on top of that we're hearing about how bad things are in Ireland, which adds to the worry and sadness.

One of the biggest things I've struggled with has been not getting back to visit Ireland, which we had planned to do last summer. Up to recently, we used to get back almost every year, but we haven’t been back in close to 3 years, so we were really excited to see everyone. My son hasn't seen his Irish family since he was four months old. He's now a fun, chatting, energetic toddler and it makes me sad that it's been so long since we were together.

I've always felt that I am less than 24 hours away, and could get home if I needed to, but I don't know when I can get on an international flight again, so this year I am feeling really far from home… I'm really pulling on the heart strings now!

* Is it accurate to say Covid-19 is currently under control in the Perth area (as of mid-December)?

It's under control, there's been no community transmission for eight months, but in that time we've pretty much been 'prisoners' in our own State! Since the initial outbreaks in March and April, all borders were closed, all flights and travel were stopped, no one could leave, and anyone coming in had to do a mandatory (policed) two-week hotel quarantine. There were hefty fines for anyone breaching quarantine or caught not social distancing, so everyone took it really seriously.

I think the immediate measures and harsh lockdown really helped keep things under control.

For the Christmas break, my husband, son, and I are heading off on a two-week road trip. We’ll be exploring a few new inland towns and some seaside spots a few hours south of Perth, and catching up with friends along the way.

* What are some of the things you miss about Christmas in Ireland?

The people, of course. Catching up with everyone, having the chats and laughs, and enjoying a few scoops by the fire in Sean's! There's genuinely nothing like the Irish hospitality and kindness, which comes out even more at this time of year.

I also miss little extra Irish things at this time of year, like Christmas FM and the Toy Show (I was so proud and emotional watching it this year). Sometimes I even miss the weather, getting rigged up in my winter woollies, sitting by a fire and, of course, the copious amounts of food, drinks, and treats that all lead to unavoidable over-indulgence!

Over here, Christmas is more relaxed, as schools start their summer holidays, so it doesn’t seem as festive. Having said that, we've had a three-metre inflatable Santa, plus a few friends, in my garden since November, so we are giving it a good go this year!

* Is there any message you would like to send to your friends or family reading this?

Hopefully we can get Covid under control, and it won’t be long until we are all reunited again. I have missed, and will be missing, a lot of my fantastic friends' 40th birthdays in 2020 and 2021, so I am sending you all 40th birthday wishes (Sarah Gibbons, you're next!).

I look forward to celebrating together at some stage in the new year. Miss you and love you all - eat, drink, and be merry and hopefully I'll see you all in good old 'A town' in 2021.