Farewell, hurry back, Linda and Christiaan

Docklands farewelled one of its favourite couples last month as chartered accountants Linda and Christiaan Botha launched into another international adventure.

The popular couple made a big impression within the close-knit Dock 5 community since buying an apartment via the internet in 2005 and finally moving in February 2007.

The South Africans love their Docklands home but they also share a passion for excitement and have ventured to Lesotho as Christiaan takes on the role of financial director of leading African telco Vodocom.

Linda explained that Christiaan had represented Vodocom in Nigeria and Congo and his previous employer had recently phoned with the Lesotho offer which was “too good to refuse”.

The Bothas decided in 2001 to seek permanent residency in Australia.  It wasn’t until December 2004 that they first set foot in Australia.  After a whirlwind tour of Melbourne, Sydney and Cairns, they fell in love with Melbourne and bought their Dock 5 home.

It wasn’t until their Nigerian sojourn came to an end in August 2006 that they were able to make plans to move to Docklands.

Linda said they were smitten when they finally walked into their apartment on February 24, 2007.

Christiaan found work with Jetstar and Linda joined Recoveries Corporation. 

Their goal of becoming Australian citizens was finally achieved in May this year.  Linda said she had been counting the days and when the woman at the Immigration Department counter casually told her their application was successful, she burst into tears.

“From the day we decided, it took us nine years to get citizenship.  The emotion was overwhelming,” she said.

Linda will miss her Docklands friends and, in particular, the Dock 5 Girls Night In Book Club.  A highlight of her time spent in Docklands was participating in the book club Black Saturday bushfire relief fundraiser in March.

Linda said it was certain they would return to their newly-adopted Docklands community.

“Docklands is our home,” she said.