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The Consul
By Ian Kemish
Published by University of Queensland Press (UQP)
ISBN 9780702263491
If you know anyone wishing to join the diplomatic services, I suggest they read this interesting book by Ian Kemish, who was the head of Australia's Consular Service, the Ambassador to Germany, High Commissioner in PNG and international adviser to the Prime Minister. It gives a fascinating insight into what the Australian government's diplomatic services do for it's citizens when they need help overseas. Some situations are quite eye-opening.
As Kemish says, it's not all highly paid people enjoying cocktail parties and promoting Australian trade, a popular perspective.
Easy to read with some amusing moments, it is a an absorbing insider's account of leadership and service within Australia's Consular service. It is interesting to read how the people in the Consular service are so dedicated, and to what lengths they will go to help those who need it even to putting their own safety at risk.
One of the outstanding, and frankly surprising, stories was about a man in his early 20s who went climbing on his own, in the European Alps, without telling anyone where he was going or when to expect him to return. He got into difficulties when one of his climbing ropes was caught on a rock which he couldn't free, so he couldn't go up or down. Fortunately, he had a mobile phone with him and was able to phone his mother in South Australia, who in turn phoned emergency services. They connected his mother to the newly set-up emergency section in the consular services office in Canberra, who then got in touch with the Australian embassy in the country where the climber was and they were able to organise with the host county's emergency services to send a helicopter to rescue him.
There are many other tumultuous situations, where mass evacuations of Australian citizens are needed, such as the Bali bombings, September 11 and the Boxing Day tsunami, which required a huge multi-faceted response. Help is given to Australian citizens who fall foul of local laws and many other extraordinary situations.
About a quarter way through reading this book, it was plain to see why Ian Kemish wrote it. After two decades of personal experience with dozens, if not scores or even hundreds of stories, this gives an insight into our consular services.
Numerous people, who's work is outstanding in the consular services, are acknowledged for their excellence in dealing with some tough situations and negotiating with foreign officialdom on behalf of Australian citizens.
It does make one feel thankful, even if we are responsible travellers, to know that caring help is there if needed.
Ian Kemish, AM, served as Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Ambassador to Germany, international adviser to the Prime Minister, and Head of the consular service, in a diplomatic career that spanned 25 years. He was awarded membership of the Order of Australia for his leadership in Australia's response to the 2002 Bali bombings. Ian moved to the private sector in 2013 and, until recently, was Chief Sustainability Officer with Newcrest, where he reformed the company's management of its social, environmental and stakeholder responsibilities. He is an adjunct Professor of History at the University of Queensland, a non-resident fellow with the Lowy Institute and a New Colombo Plan business champion.
This is independent review, I am not paid by the publishers, so.If you Liked this review, Buy me a coffee
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