A place to call home
FROM the cold climes of Russia, more than 12,000km away, Vera Hovenga and Maksim Yudin chose Queensland’s Cassowary Coast to start a new life.
The pair were among 17 new Australians welcomed by Cassowary Coast Regional Council on Tuesday as they officially became Australian citizens.
Held at the Innisfail Shire Hall, Mayor John Kremastos said it was great to see so many different groups of people join together as the region’s newest Australian’s.
“Indicative of the truly multicultural nature of the Cassowary Coast, we welcomed new Australians from Russia, India, New Zealand, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom,” he said.
“These people have been part of our community for some time now, but what makes today extra special is that we can officially welcome them as an Aussie! It truly was an honour and privilege to shake the hands of these people today.”
Surrounded by family and friends by their side, the impending Australian citizens repeated their pledge of citizenship before being handed their certificates and given a golden penda sapling, the floral emblem of the Cassowary Coast.
The group then sang the national anthem, Advance Australia Fair.
Despite torrential rain, the Cassowary Coast also welcomed nine new citizens in March this year.
Cassowary Coast Regional Council hosts a number of citizenship ceremonies each year for residents who have applied to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection for Australian citizenship.