Dear Austrian citizens, dear Austrian Association members, dear Friends,

Brigitte (Gitti) Schuster

I formally advise you, that after 25 years of being employed by Robert Gerard and me as Austrian Consuls, Gitti Schuster has retired to spend time with her very active and growing family.

Since I have known Gitti, first applying for passports for my family members and myself, to then employing her when I took over the Austrian Consulate office in Adelaide. I have found Gitti to be helpful and welcoming to Austrian citizens, and a great team member for me. She has seen six different Ambassadors, all with different visions and personalities. I wish Gitti well, but she will still be around, her laugh will be heard, and I am sure the Austrian community will remain in her heart.

Debora Ferris

I’d like to officially introduce Debora Ferris, whom some of you met recently at the Club, as the Austrian Consulate SA NT employee. She supports me in my duties as Consul, and I am really pleased to work with this vibrant and capable person.

Debora was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and spent my formative years in the lively neighbourhoods of Copacabana and Ipanema. She immeused herself in sports, particularly volleyball, while pursuing marine biology academically. From childhood, she harboured a deep love for Austria, fuelled by my passion for its composers as a pianist.

In 1987, she travelled through Europe and discovered Lech, Austria. There, she developed a profound love for the Alps and skiing, prompting her to pause her academic pursuits and embrace life in the charming town of Lech am Arlberg.

There she eagerly engaged in local events and choirs, embracing the vibrant culture of the town. Debora worked at various renowned hotels, looking after many guests, including royals, celebrities, and state leaders.

She married a local Austrian and welcomed two beautiful children, Patrick and Hannah. Eventually, amidst a marriage break up, she and her children returned to Brazil. There she worked in events management at the prestigious Copacabana Palace hotel in Rio. However, after two years, they still longed for the familiar warmth of Austria.

Upon their return to Austria, she met her now-husband, Peter Ferris, an Adelaidean, during his visit to a mutual friend who introduced us.

After living in Austria for over two decades, she and her family started a new chapter, settling in the eastern suburbs of Adelaide.

As Debora said “I am deeply honoured to be working at the Austrian Consulate, where I have the opportunity to give back to the Austrian community. I strive to contribute positively to the vibrant community, fostering cultural exchange and supporting collective growth in South Australia and the Northern Territory”.

She very much enjoyed meeting some of you recently at the Austrian Association.

Regards
Susi Tegen