Joining the ‘Aussie’ family
Horsham mayor Robyn Gulline has welcomed seven new Australian citizens as part of celebrations corresponding with Harmony Week.
Cr Gulline congratulated the group, which included people who had migrated from Thailand, the Philippines and United Kingdom, at a ceremony in Horsham Civic Centre.
Cr Gulline said Harmony Week was a time for people to come together to celebrate a vibrant multicultural society.
“This region has a successful history of welcoming and integrating people from all over the world,” she said.
Last week’s ceremony featured the colour orange, which represents Harmony Week and signifies social communication and meaningful conversations. It also relates to the freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect.
“We are part of a diverse multicultural nation and it is our Australian citizenship, whether by birth or choice, and our Australian values, that forms the common bond that unites us,” Cr Gulline said.
“We have different backgrounds, different experiences and different cultures. Yet we are one nation and we are all Australians,” she said.
The new Australian citizens are Klo Lwe Moo Doh Soe, Daniel Laing, Cecile Vence, Kim Vence, Shaun Vence, Vilarbie Vence and Stacy Vence.
Mr Laing, a climbing guide in Horsham and originally from Scotland, said he had originally arrived in Australia as a tourist about 10 years ago, met his partner and had since lived in the country ‘on and off’.
“I’m really happy to be a citizen. I was in Brisbane for the past couple of years and came here about a month a ago,” he said.
Cecile Vence came directly from the Philippines to Horsham with her family almost six years ago and said becoming an ‘Aussie’ was ‘such an overwhelming feeling’.
“I’m grateful and thankful with all of Australia,” she said.
“The community is just amazing. They are just so supportive. I’m lost for words, it’s just so overwhelming. This is the day we’ve been looking forward to.
“When you’re citizens you get to have this feeling of security and my son can avail of the health program – he’s in university – which is one of the best things. We can now also have an Australian passport and we have the opportunity to vote and that is very important.
“Although I am an Australian citizen, I will never forget the values I have learned that I carry on from my country and I’m still proud to be called a Filipino Australian.
“My whole family has been together in this journey.”