A new British Council essay collection, Crossing Points, launched today at Museum of Contemporary Art, reflects the common interests and shared concerns of the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific.
"This edition of Crossing Points is an opportunity to reflect on our shared history, and to explore who we are now as modern and diverse nations,” said Helen Salmon, Director British Council in Australia.
The British Council’s Crossing Points series examines the cultural relationships between the United Kingdom and partner nations around the world.
For this edition, we asked authors from the UK, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific region to reflect on the things that connect us.
The resulting essays – on topics ranging from comedy to language to particle physics – demonstrate the depth and variety of our connections, and the richness of the international conversation.
"As a dual citizen I am conscious of the great mutual affection, the achievements, the untapped potential, and the complexities of our relationship." said Helen Salmon, Director British Council in Australia.
"As we look to closer economic ties, I hope that we will also seize this moment to look more closely at who we really are, and who we want to be."
Our new edition of Crossing Points features essays from:
- Best-selling author and journalist Stan Grant;
- Director-General Economic and Global Issues, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Menna Rawlings CGM;
- Executive Producer of Drum Production Stan Wolfgramm NZMG;
- Chair of Te Maru O Hinemihi Anthony Hoete;
- New Zealand Member of Parliament for Manurewa Louisa Wall;
- Comedian, writer, podcaster and actress Alice Fraser;
- Executive Director of Melbourne International Arts Festival Kath Mainland CBE;
- Professor of Laws, University of Northumbria Sue Farran;
- Balladong Noongar woman, singer, songwriter and storyteller Gina Williams; and
- 2018 Australian of the Year and Scientia Professor Michelle Simmons AO.