He describes himself as a person in need of a holiday in a warm place with surf and sharks. He first came to Bulgaria in 2002, and established a corporate presence here in 2003. He misses cranberry sauce and Vegemite.

John Menzies is Bulgaria’s most recognisable Australian and despite the two countries’ differences in easiness of living, he supposes that he is now here to stay.

One of the first things he noticed was the legal system, which only figures, as he came here to set up a business. “The Australian legal system, like that in most English-speaking countries, was designed to allow change – and change not requiring the involvement of politicians. The fundamental difference is that in Australia the law changes in response to the determination of cases in the courts. For example, if there was an issue with respect to a new development in society – say the internet and certain legal rights – a dispute might arise. This would be heard in the courts and the outcome would determine the basis of subsequent dispute settlements. This really is fundamental – it makes the environment very flexible and indeed democratic. It enhances the rights of individuals. By contrast, the legal system in Bulgaria is cumbersome.”

He also noticed that Bulgaria requires every resident to carry an ID card, something that Australia does not have.

“There is also great clarity for citizens [in Australia], the rules are well known and respected. For example, a citizen needs advice from a government agency on a building permit, immediate and accurate over-the-counter advice is available. I get the impression here that citizens find it difficult to determine what their rights and obligations are,” John says.

He did not encounter problems with establishing residency, as he had a staff who took care of that for him. And, being that he married a Bulgarian in May 2007, there will not be any future need to worry.

John has lived on both the east and the west coasts of Australia, but not since 1997. “Like many of my colleagues in the natural resources business, [I] go where the deposits are and in 1996/97 that was Kazakhstan and Canada.” In addition, he has lived and/or worked in countries including Switzerland, Cambodia, Vietnam, New Zealand and Indonesia.

Most of these places have never heard of Vegemite, a salty Australian spread made from yeast products. John says that it makes for good insect repellent when smeared on the face. He did not supply a photo of this, so we’ll have to trust him on that.

He likes Bulgaria’s home-distilled rakiya, not the commercial products, saying that the latter’s quality “seems to have declined as of recent years”, though he recognises that his opinion is one of anything but an experienced distiller. Yet.

For Bulgarians looking to emigrate, he recommends: “work hard and study and you will live long and prosper; you can create your own opportunity there – it is a land where anything is possible; get a good supply of Vegemite for the insects upon arrival; learn to surf and watch out for the sharks; drive slowly, stay in your own lane, abide by the speed limits and never run red lights.” He says that Australia is an easy country in which to live, with few physical challenges, a good legal system, centralised shopping and services, good communications and excellent medical and educational services.

But still he left it, and lives in Bulgaria, and has no plans of leaving here.

Maybe because of the “business-like manner in which many in the public service conduct their activities” who “perform remarkably considering the frequent absence of resources”. And, he has only once been asked for a bribe. Unsuccessfully.

Though he is disturbed about the recently enacted flat-tax; medical services, especially for older people; the situation of the elderly in general, and the impossibility to live on their pensions; and the tertiary (university) education system in Bulgaria, which he calls grossly under-resourced . He takes action, and gives food parcels to older people and needy families, he chairs the SE Europe Geosciences Foundation, which has given and will again in 2008 give modest student grants, and his company also employs new graduates every year.

And does it all successfully, kangaroos or not.