Ambassador Beazley Sends off the Freedom & Revolution to the International Cup

By: Denis Ryan

A couple of weeks ago I received a request from a Scott Bolitho of the Embassy of Australia. You see, Australia's Ambassador to the US, Kim Beazley, is the patron of the USAFL and he wanted to hold a reception in honor of the local Baltimore Washington Eagles players who were about to head down under and represent the US at the 2011 International Cup of Australian Football.

Pictured From left: Eileen Geoghegan, Karen Stablein, Ambassador Kim Beazley, Judith Stein & Denis Ryan

Let's see. Some free Aussie beer, sausage rolls & party pies (our cultural equivalent to hot dogs). What's the trade off? All I have to do is invite the team & wear long pants & shoes? Huh, did you say long pants? It's 106 degrees out there, mate! I also have a personal ban on long pants from April 1 to September 30. Mmmm, you did say free Aussie beer right? Ok, I'll come.............but do I have to invite the team? Can't I just come myself?

Invite the team I did. It's rare to see the boys & girls in business attire and as a good portion of them came straight from work, it was good to see some of them actually have some style. Ambassador Beazley and his staff were gracious hosts & it's always good to see new people to the Embassy get all giddy about being there & having a beer. They're a little reserved at first, worried that it could be a bit toffy, but after a couple they soon relax & be themselves, just like they would if it were anywhere else.

It's hard for me to believe that it's over eight years since I ceased employment at the Embassy to set off on my little Aussie football odyssey. A lot of the dreams I had when I left are far from being realized & I have to wonder how has it taken me so long just to get this far? On the other hand, I have done some things I never thought I would. It would be four years before I even thought of Ausball. I also never thought I'd get married, let alone have two amazing little boys. No matter what I do for the rest of my life, I won't top that little trifecta and from that component of my life, I may well have overachieved!