Sixty Bendigonians from around the world took the pledge on Australia Day and became the city’s newest citizens.
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More than 200 people, including family and friends, crowded into Town Hall today to cheer on the 60 new Australians.
They came from as far afield as the United Kingdom, central Africa and south Asia, with professions as diverse as farm workers, small business owners, doctors and social workers.
But they cheered loudly as one when Mayor Rod Fyffe declared them 60 new Australian citizens.
“I’m just so happy to see my parents join me as Australians,” Mar Cho Kaka said as her mother and father took the pledge.
Ms Kaka and her husband became citizens nine-years ago and have raised their three children in Bendigo.
They are part of the city’s well established Karen community and now own a home in Long Gully.
“I’m so happy they are coming to live with us… now it’s time to go and make a big party,” Ms Kaka said.
Bendigo’s citizen of the year Valerie Broad took to the stage to congratulate Nyut Nyut and Mya Kyaw Kaka and the 58 other new Australians on their big day.
“I tell the 60 of you who are being naturalised today that, in coming to Bendigo, you’ve chosen well and I personally extend the hand of friendship to all of you,” Ms Broad said.
While the Kakas came to Australia late in life, 11-year-old Lasith Kulasekera has spent nearly his entire life in this country.
“Now I feel even more a part of this country,” he said with an Australian accent.
His father Keerithi Kuluasekera came to Australia ten-years ago and six-years ago he moved to Bendigo to take up a lecturing position at La Trobe. He now works as a doctor.
“The job brought me here but it has become a home now,” he said.
“We love it here and we won’t be leaving anytime soon.”
The Kuluasekeras were one of four Sri Lankan families who took the pledge today.
While family ties and employment offers drew many of the new citizens to Bendigo, others said they came to set up their own business.
Paripol Kuntaravichaiwat and his family came from Thailand eight years ago to open up a massage parlour while Ekbal Singh and his family came to Bendigo to open the Food O Clock Indian restaurant.
The Singhs arrived in Australia 20 years ago but chose to move to Bendigo three years ago.
“It is a beautiful city and we feel more a part of the community here, the people are very friendly and it is a good place to raise a family," Mr Singh said.
