WHILE Wednesday’s citizenship ceremony in Leongatha was on a smaller scale than usual, with just six South Gippsland locals declared Aussies, there was plenty of pride and excitement in the room and a good turnout to support the conferees.
In one of the odd quirks of citizenship, a couple of the new Australians have lived in the land down under for most of their lives.
One of those, Jennifer Lidstone, arrived in Australia with her parents when she was just two years old, coming from the United Kingdom.
She moved to South Gippsland in 1993 with her partner, with the couple marrying and having two Aussie sons.
Jennifer and her family enjoy the beach, fishing, the beautiful scenery and the community spirit of the South Gippsland area.
The soon to be registered nurse said it feels good to be able to officially call herself an Australian, adding that she looks forward to voting and having an Australian passport.
Jennifer said she can’t offer an excuse for her tardiness in taking on Aussie citizenship.
“It was laziness,” she said.
“I’ve always classed myself as an Aussie; I just didn’t have that piece of paper,” Jennifer explained, having been congratulated on her new official status by long-term friend Cr Mohya Davies who gave her a good-natured ribbing, saying it’s about time.
Douglas Bryant was just six when he settled in Australia, with his parents deciding on a change of scene and shifting from the United States.
He is the last of the family to make the move to become an official Aussie.
“It will be nice to say I’m Australian now,” Douglas said, explaining it has always been a tricky question to answer when asked where he is from.
He said circumstances prevented him becoming Australian sooner and now feels like the right moment, adding singing the national anthem as an Aussie was an emotional experience.
Having previously lived near Bondi Beach, Douglas loves the relaxed pace of life in South Gippsland.
Glenda Moro came to Australia from the Philippines on a Tourist Visa to visit friends, meeting her now husband during her travels.
A contingent of Filipino friends from Prom Country Nursing Home where Glenda works as a Personal Care Assistant were on hand to support her as she became a dinky-di Aussie.
“She’s a kangaroo now,” one said.
Glenda loves the country life and enjoys the beaches, the scenery and lifestyle and says the people are very friendly.
Wendy Fourie came to Australia from South Africa when her husband was offered a job here.
They saw it as a great work opportunity and a positive for the educational prospects of their youngest daughter who accompanied them on their adventure.
Wendy has made great friends and enjoys being part of her local community.
She says the landscape is awesome and one is never too far from the sea, mountains, or big city culture.
Hildegard Motton, from Germany, first visited Australia in 1987 on a holiday and came back over the years to see more of the country.
With a husband from South Gippsland, it didn’t take Hildegard long to feel at home.
She is delighted by the diversity of Gippsland with its green hills, beautiful beaches and bushland, and its abundance of wildlife.
Nick Meadows and his now wife Natalie were living in England early in their relationship, but with Natalie’s visa due to expire Nick moved to Australia on a working holiday visa, and they married a year later.
Although initially living in Melbourne, the couple was drawn to Natalie’s hometown of Leongatha when it came time to buy a home.
Nick enjoys having friends and family nearby, and like most of the other new Aussies is pleased to be not far from the sea.
With Leongatha Lyric Theatre group using the usual citizenship ceremony venue of Leongatha Memorial Hall, the action took place in the smaller council chambers.
That ensured the booming sounds of the South Gippsland Shire Brass Band were heard and felt even more than usual.
Member for Monash, Russell Broadbent was on hand for the citizenship ceremony, as were mayor Nathan Hersey and council CEO Kerryn Ellis.
“There is nothing like belonging somewhere,” Russell told the conferees, welcoming them as Australian citizens.
With a vibrant display of wattle greeting the new citizens, Cr Hersey added humour to the occasion saying he is allergic to the national symbol and could feel his skin itching.
While he also felt something in his chest, fortunately that was the stirring sounds of the brass band as it played numbers such as ‘I Still Call Australia Home’.
