Did A Statutory Declaration Today

Woke this morning to messages that Nelly, Oliver’s mum could meet us today and do the letter at the consulate. So that’s what I spent the morning doing. We met her outside the Australian Consulate and she made a statutory declaration that says she gives consent for me to take Oliver out of Indonesia at anytime until he is 18 years old in both English and Indonesian! I thought that this was what was on file at the embassy when I had hassles with the second visa application in 2007. There is something on file because they said they would grant this visa. But the statutory declaration is stronger and it’s done now. I have the original document and now every time I do the visa I know I will not have a problem. The consulate is so security enhanced it was like something from a science fiction film – unbelievable! The lady I bagged yesterday was actually quite pleasant and helpful when the three of us turned up at the counter. Oliver’s passport was ready to collect today but I will get it on Monday from the visa centre. So it has been a productive day. It was nice to see Oliver with his mum. The first time she saw him she was quite cool about it. But today she seemed really happy to see him and I felt good. We took some pictures too. How sweet. She told me about her husband…where he works, his name etc. This was all a big secret before. She is still petrified of him finding out about Oliver, but he will one day. She should just tell him everything. You can’t keep secrets like that… I now know that getting legal custody of Oliver is VITAL! I must make this my goal over the next few months. I have to do it before I Indonesia if that is what is going to happen. It was reassuring to find out that Nelly is not leaving for Australia to live as I previously thought, as her husband will work here for another two years. I also learnt today that Nelly isn’t her real name. I have a photocopy of her KTP too from the consulate…so it was a very positive and productive day all in all.