Australia’s Ambassador to Denmark, Norway and Iceland
Ms Minahan is a senior career officer of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Prior to her current appointment as Australia’s Ambassador to Denmark, she was Director, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at the New South Wales State Office, Ambassador of Australia to Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay (2000-04). She was promoted to the Senior Executive Service in April 2000.
Overseas Ms Minahan has served as Charge d'Affaires, Australian Embassy, Buenos Aires (1995-96), First Secretary, later Counsellor, Australian Embassy, Madrid (1988-92), Second Secretary, later First Secretary, Australian Embassy, Paris (1981-85), Third Secretary, Australian Embassy, Santiago de Chile (1976-77) and Third Secretary, Australian Embassy, Mexico City (1975). She has also held a number of positions in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra including Director, Canada, Latin America and Caribbean Section (1997-2000), and Director, Trade Liaison Section (1995-97).
Ms Minahan holds a Bachelor of Arts (Double Honours) degree from the University of New South Wales, a Graduate Diploma in Public Law from the Australian National University, a Graduate Diploma in Counselling from the University of Canberra, and is a Graduate of the Ecole Nationale d'Administration, Paris. She speaks Spanish and French.
ExpatWomen:Sharyn, your career history paints the picture of a fabulous role model for any woman who has ever dreamed of living an exciting life abroad as a diplomat. What inspired you to join the Australian Foreign Service and has the ride lived up to your expectations?
Sharyn: From an early age I was interested in other languages and other countries, and always had in the back of my mind that I would like a career with a strong international component. Therefore when, during my final year at university, I learned that applications were being sought from graduates to join the diplomatic service, I thought it seemed like a good career for me. The fact that I graduated from university already speaking two other languages fluently undoubtedly helped shape my subsequent career path, as I was first sent off to Latin America because I spoke Spanish. I have been very happy to serve in countries where my knowledge of the language and culture enabled me to become effective quickly, even if they were not the highest-profile destinations for an Australian diplomat. Of course, there are many aspects of this life which are anything but exciting; most occupations have their share of unpleasant duties and the constant upheaval in one’s life – starting over again in a different place every few years – certainly has some marked disadvantages. However, the job also has some very interesting and enjoyable aspects and I have no regrets about the career choice I made all those years ago.
ExpatWomen:When looking for diplomatic women to interview, I first scoured the British Embassy list. Finding female British Ambassadors seemed like finding needles in a haystack. Thankfully, the Australian list showed more female names. Do you think that this example illustrates that Australian women have more of an equal opportunity in the Australian Foreign Service?
Sharyn: I can’t comment authoritatively on what happens in other Foreign Services but certainly the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has significantly improved career opportunities and equality of treatment for women since I joined over three decades ago. Currently about 27% of the Senior Executive Service (SES - from which most Ambassadors and High Commissioners are nominated) of the Department are women, and at the level immediately below the SES half of the staff are women, reflecting the increased number of female graduates that have joined the Department over the last decade or so. I very much doubt that young women in the early stages of their Australian Foreign Service career would have any cause to complain about lack of equal opportunity now.
ExpatWomen:I am sure that the journey has not been all smooth-sailing. Can you please share with us some of the obstacles that you have faced along the way?
Sharyn: Well, there are always the personal ones, such having to deal with the death or life-threatening illness of a family member when one is living overseas, and all that being away from Australia means for one’s relationships with family and close friends. And then the business of conducting one’s personal administrative affairs from the other side of the world can be extremely frustrating, even in the era of the internet - so many financial and other institutions make it hard to do business with them if you can’t follow the communication channels set up for people resident in the same country as the institution! These are problems many expats will experience and are not unique to my career. Similarly, I think other frustrations or disappointments I might have experienced at some point in my career are typical of what one encounters when working in a large organisation, and are not specific to my Department, albeit with a few extra twists as a result of the international element.
ExpatWomen:What have been some of your most enjoyable/memorable moments as a diplomat?
Sharyn: The most memorable aren’t always the most enjoyable! But some experiences that were both involved people at opposite ends of the social spectrum – working with disadvantaged people, particularly women, on projects to help them better their lives on the one hand and seeing their amazing sense of dedication and solidarity, and on the other hand having conversations with royalty and Presidents. Another was working in Barcelona for the official Australian Government presence at the Barcelona Olympic Games and attending the opening and closing ceremonies. One always gets a great sense of satisfaction out of being a part of something that turns out well and has a positive impact for one’s country, and there have been plenty of those moments throughout the years.
ExpatWomen:Your focus has tended to be on Spanish-speaking countries. How have you found these countries – in terms of how you are respected as a woman in the workplace, how well you are accepted as a non-native Spanish speaker, and how you are able to integrate into the host cultures?
Sharyn: As I mentioned above, I don’t feel that I had difficulty adapting to the Latin culture. Sometimes I found that people said or did things that they meant as compliments but which in reality were inappropriate references to gender in a professional situation. However, one just has to find different ways of handling the situation. And Spanish speakers are very tolerant of non-native Spanish speakers so I was never made to feel uncomfortable on that score. Some of my best friends in the world are Latinas, so I think that answers the question about integration!
ExpatWomen:Finally Sharyn, can you share any advice to our expat women worldwide?
Sharyn: I doubt I can give any advice to other women who have already made their way in a foreign environment. We all have to find our own way of coping with the inevitable downsides of expat life just as we all find different aspects of life abroad that inspire and delight us. I would say, however, to women who are thinking of taking up an expat opportunity for the first time – it won’t always be easy but it is certainly not boring!
ExpatWomen:Thank you very much Sharyn and congratulations on all of your career achievements.
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