A diplomatic dinner

By Meg Kennedy

Although Ballan may not be a place first thought of when it comes to international relations, an Australian diplomat recently paid a visit.

Ballan and District CWA hosted Australia’s Consul-General to Turkey, Jeffie Kaine, on Thursday, 12 September for a night of enlightenment and excellent food.

Ms Kaine, who is based in Istanbul, told CWA members about her daily work, Australia’s relationship with Turkey, and her passion for gender equality and empowering women.

As part of her work as a Consul-General, Ms Kaine occasionally returns to Australia to visit regional and rural communities.

Ballan and District CWA President Symone Barry said Ms Kaine had reached out to the branch, joking she had begun her email – sent from a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) account – with the words, ‘This is not spam!’

Ms Kaine told the Moorabool News that Victoria has “a particular connection” to Turkey, which stems from World War I to the migration of Turkish communities to the state in the 1950s and ‘60s.

Ms Kaine said she “wanted to go to an area that was interesting and rural, because I am very interested in the agricultural sector in terms of trade with Turkey,” noting the works of Moorabool companies Genetics Australia in Bacchus Marsh and Wellwood Organic Walnut Farm in Wallace.

“They’re doing some really, really interesting science and exporting from Bacchus Marsh…and some incredibly innovative things at [the Wellwood farm],” she said.

“That’s the kind of innovative approach that the Australian agricultural sector is, quite rightly, famous for, and I think Turks don’t know a lot about [it].

I think that there’s an opportunity there to commercialise Australian farming ingenuity and sell those ideas and the science overseas.”

As part of her role, Ms Kaine attends the annual commemorations at ANZAC Cove on the Gallipoli peninsula, an experience she believes “all Australians should do once in their life.”

“It’s very moving, and most people think it is just ANZAC Cove and the Dawn Service, but throughout the day there are different services all through the National Park that preserves the battlefields,” she said.

“I think as an Australian, to have the opportunity to reflect together of the sacrifices of our servicemen and women is really special.”

In the spirit of the CWA, Ms Kaine shared her favourite Turkish cuisine – manti, which is a kind of Turkish ravioli.

“They’re tiny little meat-stuffed raviolis that they serve hot, with a cold yoghurt and tomato sauce – which sounds like a really unusual combination, but it is so delicious, so that I think is my number one favourite Turkish food!”

For more information on the Ballan & District CWA, you can find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CWAballan/.