[Applause] At the age of five, along with my parents and four brothers, I was homeless. One of my earliest memories is as a child sitting on a toilet in a former church hall, casually swinging my legs, watching the rats play on the floor below. After a few months, social services, learning of our family's plight, found us a home in one of the most deprived areas of Gosport.As a family, we were both poor and hungry. Coats and newspapers utilized in the winter months in attempt to keep us warm at night. Empty ...

Social Mobility & Education - Elite schooling remains the most reliable path to the top of British society [1]

Family History and Migration - The speaker's family migrated from Greece, transitioning from factory workers to factory owners [1] - The speaker's generation experienced upward social mobility, disconnecting from their working-class roots [1] - The speaker reflects on the meaning of progress and social mobility in the context of their family's journey [1] - A trip to Greece with the speaker's father prompted reflection on the reasons for their migration to Bunarong land (Australia) [5] - Family stories illustrate movement using various modes of transportation, including horse carts, bicycles, and trains [6][7] Cultural Identity and Connection - The speaker's daughter's declaration of being Japanese highlights questions of cultural identity and heritage [1] - The speaker's reaction to her daughter's statement reveals a desire to maintain a connection to their Greek heritage [3][4] - The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding family history and how they have moved [9] Generational Differences and Values - The speaker contrasts their generation's experiences of struggle and hard work with their children's lives of privilege [1] - The speaker observes differences in cultural norms and expectations between Greece and Australia [8] - The speaker acknowledges the constant movement and change in places, both physically and in perception [4]