After spending a miserable year being racially bullied and teased at a Canberra local primary school, it was fortunate when my parents eventually moved houses.
I was enrolled into a new school and embraced the new beginning.
In a much more multicultural environment than the previous school, I quickly made friends with classmates and neighbours from the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Israel and Brazil.
Mucking around after school at the marbles pit (Yes, marbles were cool!) and talking about our favourite topic – television – my Papua New Guinean friend randomly mentioned that there was a new TV channel.
“It has programs from around the world! In all these different languages!”
“What??? As. IF,” I scoffed.
It was 1980.
Australia had three commercial television channels (only two made it to Canberra) and of course, the good ol’ ABC.
The most “multicultural” we got from our television shows were Britain’s Doctor Who and The Goodies. Oh, feel free to include The Wombles. (Yeah, they were cool too!)
From a migrant kid’s standpoint, Australia was still white in 1980. From its streets, schools and definitely the media.
People still thought Bali was a separate country.
So, as a first generation Australian, I’m proud to say that I grew up along side SBS.
As a uni student majoring in Japanese, I’d get up and some ungodly hour to watch NHK news, practicing my listening skills.
I recall many a late night/early morning, wracked with sleeplessness, watch some random artistic (read:weird) nudie French movie.
Mr Surfer and I staying up, cheering the machines that be known as the cyclists racing Tour de France.
SBS grew into Australian culture with its multicultural flavour and so did I.
So, it kinda felt like walking into something very familiar when I started my first day there last week. Maybe not quite home but close to it.
“Seven billion stories and counting…”
It’s nice to know I’m part of that.
Do you watch SBS? What’s your favourite show? Seen any weirdo nudie movies?
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Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit says
So sorry to hear Canberra was mean to you. I’ve heard that a lot from people “our” age who grew up here. I am pleased to report that Canberra is now very multicultural and our area of town in particular is proudly made up of many corners of the globe. In fact, my son was picking up a Croation accent! LOL.
So is SBS your big news?
I would imagine it would be a very cool place to work.
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Vanessa says
Oh yay! This must be that big new news 🙂 Congratulations.
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Renee Wilson says
Congratulations, Grace. What an exciting new role and chapter of your life for you. Your first school in Canberra sounds like a nightmare. Thank God your parents were able to move you. Dave watches SBS all of the time, but the only thing I really watch on it now is If you are the one. Best show ever. I used to get up very early to learn my Japanese too when I was in high school and uni 🙂
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JodY At Six Little Hearts says
Mega-congrats to you Grace! How very exciting!! Thank you for the memories too, of our early television days. (I remember channel 0, which may have become SBS?)
I cherish my muliticultural upbringing in the schoolyard. I am sorry to hear you had a bad time at one school. I remember when kids were so new to this country that they or their parents struggled with English. One bestie was Egyptian.
Enjoy your new role. I hope we learn more?! X
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Ingrid @ Fabulous and Fun Life says
Congratulations on your new job at SBS!
The Wombles were cool weren’t they!
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Amy @ HandbagMafia says
Congrats on the new role, Grace! I hope it’s as awesome a place to work as I imagine it- real diversity. Good on you!
Lydia C. Lee says
Congrats on SBS! What great news. Tell them the Dakar coverage needs to be an hour, and at 6pm. It’s very hard getting home in time to watch it in Jan! And more of the Hinos and David Casteu (but I’m guessing they have no control over that! 😉
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Natalie @ our parallel connection says
I love when hear people get their dream job. Congrats Grace. SBS reminds me of mums time on the TV. Hope you love your time there
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Justice says
Fidnnig this post. It’s just a big piece of luck for me.
Denyse whelan blogs says
Well-done YOU! This is such a good NEWS story. I cant wait to read more! B and I send our congratulations to you, dear Grace. D xx
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Mumma McD says
Wow! Congrats Grace, amazing news!!
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Mandy @barbie bieber and beyond says
Congrats Grace, that’s wonderful for you! I don’t watch a lot of SBS, my Dad, bless him, used to watch it a lot though. “Educational” he said…hahaha…. not sure what he was watching though. Sometimes living in the country the SBS channel had the best reception out of everything! It’s a shame as a teenager I didn’t appreciate the value of the channel back then though.
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EmIly says
Sorry people were awful. Just ugh. But how exciting! Congrats on the new role!! What are you doing? I want details!
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Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid says
People being mean is not in the least bit awesome but getting a job at SBS is totally fantabulous and very exciting! PS now that you’re working almost around the corner, we should totally meet for lunch one day!
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Brenda says
Hashtag Proud of You! Xx
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Sarah @sarahdipity says
Well this is a bit exciting, congratulations on the new job!
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Daisy says
I’m so happy for you. You are one of my favourite people and it makes me so happy to see you happy.
❤️❤️❤️
Daisy
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Kirsty @ My Home Truths says
Congrats on the new gig Grace! Sounds perfect for you. I have to say my favourite SBS show is Eurovision (coming up again soon too – squee!) closely by followed by If You Are the One. Chinese reality/dating show at it’s best – I love it!
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Sarah b says
Best of luck in your new job 🙂 xx
Beth at almostposh.com says
How cool! Hope you enjoy working there! I remember when SBS arrived in the early 90s to my regional area, it was the third channel we had and everyone was highly anticipating all the rudie-nudieness. I remember when they started ads in Top Gear and everyone was outraged. I still watch it for good docos and comedy repeats
Julie @ Off to the park says
Congrats on the new job Grace! Hubby and I have watched quite a few foreign movies on SBS (esp the french nudie ones, lol!) over the years, as well as stayed up late to watch Tour de France and watched some wonderful cooking shows! All the best with your new job. xx
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