Lake Macquarie History

Anya Wooden

photo: anya wooden

Born in Latvia during the Soviet era, Mrs Anya Wooden recalls a largely happy childhood in which families spent the warmer months in summer homes pursuing outdoor recreations.

Anya's immediate family and grandparents shared a two-bedroom apartment residence for many of those holiday seasons.

Anya subsequently left the Baltic state to study economics and administration at a Scottish university. Her studies were partially subsidised along the way through a range of part-time jobs including sales assistant work and performing as a clown at birthday parties!

Anya believes that a perceived lack of proficiency in English may have prevented her from establishing a career post-university in fields in which she was newly qualified, coming to work in hospitality instead.

However, during her time living in Scotland Anya met her Australian-born, future husband, Andrew. Anya credits Andrew as being open minded as to their future, but ultimately the prospect of an extended family support network in Australia influenced their decision to resettle "Down Under".

Although Anya initially lamented the lack of diversity and age in the built heritage of Australia, the natural beauty of Lake Macquarie inspired her to want to live in this region.

Anya also indicates that while she obviously cannot visit her European based family as often as she once did, social networking and biennial return trips have helped her stay in touch.

Acknowledgement of Country

We remember and respect the Ancestors who cared for and nurtured this Country. It is in their footsteps that we travel these lands and waters. Lake Macquarie City Council acknowledges the Awabakal people and Elders past, present and future.

Council acknowledges traditional custodians throughout Australia. We commit to listening deeply to and collaborating with First Peoples in our work.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website and Council's cultural collections may contain images, voices or names of deceased persons in photographs, film, audio recordings or printed material.

This website may contain place names, opinions and terms that reflect authors' views or those of the period in which the item was written or recorded. These may not be considered appropriate today.

If you experience any issues with the website or its content please contact us [email protected]