Program opens doors for Rebecca
Wimmeraresident Rebecca Pilgrim is the first person to successfully gain her citizenship under the guidance of a new Centre for Participation program.
The Goroke resident moved from Cebu in the Philippines to the Wimmera more than eight years ago.
She was visiting Australia for a holiday and to attend a wedding. On the same trip she met her now husband Ian Pilgrim and set up a life in the Wimmera.
Mrs Pilgrim joined the Horsham Centre for Participation citizenship testing program, which started late last year. With guided support, her documents were approved in May and she later made her citizenship pledge as part of a virtual ceremony.
“So happy, proud, thankful and I feel completely satisfied,” Mrs Pilgrim said.
She said work experiences ranging from agriculture to hospitality had shaped her understanding of Australian culture.
“My lifestyle has changed. I learned the Australian culture through my first job at the takeaway shop in Nhill, where I met different nationalities. The takeaway shop was owned by my sister and was located at the bus stop,” she said.
“I have been living on a farm for eight years and it is very quiet and peaceful.
“My experience in farming, cropping, livestock and management of sheep, which includes the shearing, feeding and drafting and delivering of grain, made me happy and content.”
Mrs Pilgrim said gaining citizenship in Australia would allow her to live a comfortable life in Goroke.
“The citizenship will make my life feel better and I feel stable living here in Australia. It gave me a feeling of security,” she said.
“I will also have my Australian passport when travelling, which is really great.”
Mr Pilgrim said he was grateful for all the support Centre for Participation provided his wife while she was working towards gaining citizenship.
“Centre for Participation staff are so friendly and willing to help,” he said.
“They made us feel so welcome and comfortable. We are so appreciative of this service.
“I felt relieved with all the support and very happy that it was completed. It was such a great blessing as we are not good at computers, so it was such a great help.
“I also had the chance to join Centre for Participation’s summer cooking classes and I look forward to learning more.”
Security to stay
Migrant liaison worker Cecile Vence, who helped Mrs Pilgrim along her journey, said her citizenship would greatly improve her quality of life in Australia.
“When you’re on a permanent visa it doesn’t mean you have the security to stay here because there are changes in the rules,” she said.
“Once you have your citizenship, you get to enjoy many benefits. You get a sense of security and one of the biggest benefits is having the right to vote – your voice will be heard.”
Mrs Pilgrim was among 15 Wimmera residents successful in their applications.
Mrs Vence said COVID-19 restrictions across Victoria meant citizenship tests were moved online, saving people from having to travel to centres at Ballarat and Melbourne.
“I encourage people seeking their citizenship to start the centre’s program, which teaches people about Australia, its people, government and responsibilities,” she said.
“We are very fortunate to be in Horsham as we do have a lot of support in terms of reaching out to the multicultural community.
“It’s just a matter for people to reach out to the organisations that can help. Being a migrant here sometimes isn’t easy, so we need to reach out to them as well – it has to go both ways.”