I was born on the 20th February 1969, of parents who had settled in Sydney Australia, travelling 22,000 kilometres from their homeland of Glasgow, Scotland.

My place of birth, my home place is Caringbah, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, which is an Australian Aboriginal word meaning 'pademelon wallaby' - a small, dark haired mammal that lives predominantly in bushland that surrounds this area, known as the Royal National Park. 

I identify as born on the traditional lands of the  Tharawal people (Dharawal) and Gweagal (Gwiyagal) "fire" clan, traditional custodians of the southern geographic regions of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The Australian Aboriginal Gweagal people made first contact (hostile) with James Cook and European occupiers at Kurnell, NSW Australia in April to early May 1770, within a few kilometres of my place of birth.

The Hayes clan is extensive and I have relatives across all continents in the world.

I am informed that my Celtic Animal Zodiac sign is that of the Snake / Adder.

"...The Celtic animal sign of the snake has a cool exterior but are infinitely lively. They are curious and are always full of questions about how the world works, and how the people around them work (even if they aren’t openly asking, you can bet they’re figuring out the answers in their own mind). Snakes are natural communicators, and they can be hugely persuasive. If they are passionate about a cause they can round up the whole neighbourhood with their zeal and enthusiasm for their purpose. Snakes can be spontaneous and unpredictable too. And although they’re pretty flexible, they like things to go their way (who doesn’t?), and will prove to be uncooperative if pushed in a corner."

I think it describes my adult spirit very well and I will attest to it being significant in my life.