Millicent Spencer
Flags were waving and smiles were beaming as Whittlesea welcomed 260 new citizens to the municipality.
Whittlesea chair administrator Lydia Wilson said she was delighted to have welcomed hundreds of new adults and children from over 30 different countries to the municipality across two ceremonies on January, 26.
“[You] have made what is a really important decision in your lives, you’ve chosen to become Australian citizens,” she said.
“As an Australian citizen from today this flag becomes your flag.”
After living in Mill Park for almost six years, Sakunthala Narendra and her son Kohul received their citizenships.
“I’m very excited and happy,” Ms Narendra said.
“We’re excited to make Australia our new home.”
The Narendra family had a very special visitor in attendance – Ms Narendra’s mother flew from India to witness her daughter and grandson become Australians.
“It’s the first time we’ve seen my Mum after COVID,” Ms Narendra said.
Aman Farran shared a similar excitement after waiting five years to become a citizen.
“I’m feeling good after a long journey,” she said.
“I came from Lebanon in 2017 and I have been waiting for five years … it was a struggle at the start when I came as a student – but we got there.”
Ms Farran said she loved everything about Australia which she now is proud to call home.
“The opportunities, the nature, the people, the culture – I call it the nation of opportunities.”
For Adbullah Haris it was the opportunities Australia offered for his children that made him take the next step to become a citizen.
“My oldest son is doing a PhD, my second is doing a masters at Monash, and the third is doing commerce,“ he said.
“When I first filled out the form I said my biggest investment in Australia is my children.
“It is very exciting to be an Australian citizen… our life is settled here, and everything is good.“
Mr Haris’ wife Nilofar Haris echoed a similar testament.
“We love Australia because it’s so multicultural and peaceful,“ she said.
“This is a really beautiful time for us.“
In attendance was MP Andrew Giles who used the opportunity to encourage the new citizens to embrace the opportunity to “think hard” about the reconciliation journey of the nation.
“I hope you will participate in the referendum and will consider the voices of first nations people,” he said.
Mr Giles also encouraged the community to take the opportunity to share their culture with the nation.
“Today nearly 20,00 people became Australian citizens [and] they bring with them their stories, their backgrounds, the pride in who they are, and a sense of possibility the country we might be,” he said.
“As you become full members of the Australian community, share your stories [and] share your thoughts.”
