Proud new Aussies in South Gippsland
New citizens enrich Australia with their diverse cultures and work ethic
EIGHTEEN South Gippslanders were proud to officially become Aussies on Wednesday evening at a citizenship ceremony in the Leongatha Memorial Hall.
The new Aussies originally came from Sweden, India, Israel, Philippines, United Kingdom, Indonesia and the Netherlands, along with one born in Australia.
Whatever the requirements of the citizenship test, Bishal Attri surely passed with flying colours, having developed a taste for Vegemite.
He came to Australia to study, remaining to build his career and life, being drawn to South Gippsland by its strong sense of community and rural lifestyle.
As is always the case, some of the new citizens arrived in Australia in recent years while others have taken their time to pursue citizenship.
Mayor Nathan Hersey’s verbal survey revealed that on this occasion, the earliest arrival among the conferees was 1958.
Ten Pound Pom David Farbus arrived the following year, later making the move to South Gippsland where he continues to enjoy the region’s open spaces and relaxed way of life.
Contrastingly, the Jobin family came to Australia in 2019, quickly falling in love with South Gippsland, to which they were introduced by relatives.
Asked how it feels to be an Aussie, young Chris Jobin responded, “It is better being Australian.”
His mother Remya Varghese said, “Our family are all excited and very proud to be Australian citizens after living here for eight years, and it’s a dream come true; our youngest son was born here and now he’s an Australian like us all.”
The South Gippsland Shire Brass Band set the appropriate mood, playing well known Aussie music, and struck up the National Anthem during the ceremony, giving the new citizens a chance to sing along.
The ceremony followed Member for Monash Mary Aldred telling the conferees that, “If you embrace South Gippsland, South Gippsland will embrace you,” adding that the same applies to Australia in general.
Member for Gippsland South Danny O’Brien praised the wisdom of those becoming citizens.
“You’ve made the conscious decision to come here, and we thank you for that because every one of you brings something new to our communities,” he said, acknowledging the work ethic and culture that arrivals from overseas bring.
Mr O’Brien commented on the crucial role those arrivals play in areas as diverse as filling our schools and working in aged care.
Monico (Nico) Buan Cosning is one of those providing vital skills in aged care, having come to Australia from the Philippines in 2022 after working as a Registered Nurse.
Together with his wife and two children, he has built a home and life in South Gippsland, continuing his nursing career, first at Prom Country Aged Care in Foster, and now as a Registered Nurse at Woorayl Lodge in Leongatha.
Nico and his family have enjoyed becoming part of the South Gippsland community, and he is proud to take the final step of becoming an Australian citizen.
