Libby McCutchan, wife of the High Commissioner of Australia, talks about her stay in Nigeria and growing up in Australia

Every year for the past 8 years, the Association of Spouses of Heads of Missions (ASOHOM) has raised millions of naira for charity here in Nigeria by organising an annual international bazaar and food fair. Shortly after her arrival in Abuja two and a half years ago, Mrs. Libby McCutchan, wife of H.E. Ian McConville, High Commissioner of Australia to Nigeria, became the association’s Chairperson. I recently begged Libby for an interview about her stay here in Nigeria as well as a bit of her life in Australia and she kindly agreed. On the question of what three words describe her most, she said “Optimistic, organised, happy,” but for the short time that I have known Libby, I can say that she is also very friendly, approachable, and fun to talk with. Multi-talented, Libby is the kind of person you wish you could be friends with forever! She and her husband are music lovers and accomplished musicians - he plays the violin, she the piano and flute. The McConvilles’ tour of duty in Nigeria has ended and the family has moved back to Australia on December 17, 2012, but this interview allows us a peek into her life... 

ARACELI: How long have you been in Nigeria and what was the first thing that entered your mind when you learned that your husband would be posted as High Commissioner of Australia to Nigeria? 

LIBBY: ‘We have been here for 2.5 years – which is quite a short time for a posting, it seems too quick! When we first started thinking about applying to come to Nigeria we all, our family, knew there would be lots to learn and that it would be an adventure – with many highs and lows! It has certainly lived up to that expectation, but with many more highs than lows.

ARACELI:What was your first impression of Nigeria or Abuja upon your arrival? 
LIBBY: Greener and cooler than I expected. It was August and the landscape seemed really unusual with the dome shaped granite outcrops everywhere. 

Libby McCutchan (3rd from left, front row)
with other members of ASOHOM, in Abuja, Nigeria
Photo courtesy of ASOHOM

ARACELI: What parts of the country have you visited? 

LIBBY: Not as many parts as I would have liked to visit! Early in our posting we went to Kaduna and Kano, and I have not been able to go back since due to security considerations - a pity! I have been to Benue State and Afi mountain, Minna, Lokoja and Lagos. Recently we flew up to Sokoto. Funnily enough, I have seen as much of the region – Cotonou, Addis, Brazaville, Niamey – as of the country. 

ARACELI: What do you enjoy most about your stay in Nigeria? 

LIBBY: Time to spend with the family in a new and exciting environment and sharing new experiences with them – seeing how they grow, cope, adapt and learn. Secondly I have really enjoyed meeting dedicated and talented Nigerian people working with NGO’s and other organisations that are trying so hard to improve the lives of their countrymen and women. 

ARACELI: How did you become the chairperson of ASOHOM? 

LIBBY: Shortly after our arrival in Nigeria I met some members and they pretty much just told me that I should do the job, or rather, that I would have little choice in the matter! So I have just been following orders, really. Joking aside, it has been my great honour and priviledge to Chair for two years and see ASOHOM develop and strengthen. 

ARACELI: What are the most significant projects of ASOHOM recently? 

LIBBY: We have launched four projects this year – which is always a rewarding event. One borehole, one health education programme, one donation of school desks and books, and one donation of medical equipment. 

ARACELI: Every year, ASOHOM successfully raises millions of naira for various charities in Nigeria. What do you think contributes to this success? 

LIBBY: Our Bazaar, where we raise our funds, has gone from strength to strength, and I actually love the logistics of organising it. The event appeals to the palate! And the public seem to love coming along to eat reasonably priced food from all around the world and to be in an international fun atmosphere. The success of previous bazaars adds to the anticipation. Long may it continue! 

Mrs. Libby McCutchan,  (in white shirt) wife of the
High Commissioner of Australia, with other guests, at
 the commissioning of a borehole in Makurdi, Nigeria.
Photo courtesy of ASOHOM

ARACELI: How do the members of ASOHOM get compensated for all the hard work they are doing to raise money for charity? 

LIBBY: I firmly believe that you reap what you sow, and our members that put in time and energy take great pride in a job well done. It is our privilege to be in Nigeria as Ambassadors spouses, so doing our bit to help our host country is a great pleasure and seems a highly appropriate thing to do. Seeing our projects come to fruition is a wonderful experience and our hard earned Naira can bring benefits to so many through things like clean water and education. Only last week we travelled to Makurdi and commissioned a borehole and had such a great day there in the village. 

ARACELI: What part of Australia do you come from and what makes it different from other parts of your country? 

LIBBY: I come from Melbourne, in the south east of Australia. Two thirds of Australia is desert – really! – but Melbourne is known for its great restaurants and cosmopolitan atmosphere. We really benefited from migration from Greece, Italy, Turkey... in the 1950’s and 1960’s and it is a food lovers’ heaven. In the 1970’s a lot of Vietnamese people migrated to Australia, and we love our Asian food too. Melbournites like to think that our city is more sophisticated and cultural than chaotic Sydney. 

ARACELI: Can you describe a bit of growing up in Australia, particularly what did you want to be when you were growing up? 

LIBBY: I grew up in the outer suburbs of Melbourne with lots of space and greenery around. I rode my bike to school with friends, but had to take a bus for secondary girls’ school. My parents were both teachers so we had good simple holidays camping or hiking or travelling to New Zealand – my mum is a Kiwi. You could say it was a bit of a ‘no frills’ childhood but great experiences in the outdoors. My dad can fix anything and we always had old cars, washing machines, etc... that he fixed up – he only recently bought his first new car! I always knew I wanted to work with people and work in the health field, I wanted to be a chiropractor at one stage. I now work in women’s health, which I really enjoy. 

ARACELI: How do you begin your day?
LIBBY: I am a bit of an email junkie – especially as by the time we wake up, Australia has been awake for half the day, so I always start by checking emails. I am also very bad at sleeping in late, just ask my husband, and sometimes get up at ungodly hours like 0400 and start working. I love this time of day as nobody can disturb you, but it also means that I am hopeless in the evenings. 

ARACELI: How do you relax? 

LIBBY: I enjoy reading, cooking, knitting, exercise ...many ways. 

ARACELI: What does a busy day for you look like? 

LIBBY: Maybe organising an event at our house or for an ASOHOM meeting, emails, working with house staff and helping with kids homework, then out for an evening reception. Every day is different but there are never enough hours in the day or time to complete the projects I brought to Nigeria to do in those spare hours I was going to have! I never quite found them. 

ARACELI: How do you find balance between being a wife, a mother, and just being you? 

LIBBY: By not always being on a posting! The support role here, for children coping with a new country and a husband who travels a lot, is pretty time consuming, and putting time in to it is a real priority for me. I find there is more time to be ‘just me’ when we are back home in Australia. That said, I have enjoyed singing in a choir here and having more time to read. 

ARACELI: What three adjectives describe you most? 

LIBBY: Optimistic, organised, happy. 

ARACELI: What would you advice other Ambassador’s wives – or diplomats and their wives – who are coming to Nigeria for the first time? 

LIBBY: Come with a good attitude and look for the positives – good friends to meet, and a chance to meet some pretty extraordinary Nigerian people. Bring lots of things to entertain yourself at home – see it as a chance to get better at something! Come ready to laugh and cry about what you will learn and experience here.

TOP PHOTOS:  Libby and her husband, H. E. Ian McConville, playing music at School for the Blind during
the 2012 White Cane Day celebration. Libby with guests  (the wife of the  Ambassador of the EU Delegation and the
Spanish Ambassador )  at the Australian Residence.
BOTTOM PHOTOS: Libby with the Ambassador of Venezuela at the 2012 ASOHOM BAZAAR. Libby with
members of the Diplomatic Corps during the Spanish National Day 2012.
Photos by Araceli

ARACELI: What do you usually tell your friends and family who ask you about Nigeria? 

LIBBY: That the reality does not meet up with the image. Also that it is such a big country and the people so diverse, that it would take a long time to know and understand Nigeria. 

ARACELI: What would you miss most when you will finally leave Nigeria? 

LIBBY: I should say having the meals cooked and house cleaned... but really I will miss seeing something interesting, unusual, inspiring or funny on the streets every time I go out of the house. Life back in the suburbs will be boring!