By KATH GANNAWAY
A TOTAL of 118 Yarra Ranges residents became Australian citizens in a colourful and moving citizenship ceremony at Burrinja in Upwey on Wednesday night.
Originating from 24 countries, the Burrinja auditorium was a united nations of people from toddlers to older people, and many in between, from all around Yarra Ranges Shire.
Some had taken the very first opportunity they could to make their pledge to become Australian citizens. Others have lived here for many years and for different reasons have now moved to formalise their Aussie status.
Mayor Fiona McAllister administered the Pledge of Commitment, inviting individuals to make the pledge as either an oath or an affirmation.
She said Australian citizenship was a common bond involving reciprocal rights and obligations which united all Australians while respecting their diversity.
The privileges include the right to vote, to run for government, to enlist in the defence forces and to register children born overseas as Australian citizens.
Obligations, she said, include loyalty to Australia and its people, sharing Australia’s democratic beliefs, upholding and obeying Australian law, and enrolling and voting at elections and referenda.
Wurundjeri woman, Julie Kitto, did a welcome to country, and Monbulk MP James Merlino and councillors Len Cox, Noel Cliff, Samantha Dunn and Jim Child assisted with the ceremony.
“I am sensitive to the fact that Australia is populated by migrants, from our Indigenous people who travelled land bridges between continents, the first fleeters, to those from many lands who have arrived in more recent times,” Cr McAllister said.
“Be it to improve their life, or in fear of their lives, it had meant that Australians are a tolerant people.”
She said Australia had benefited as a nation because of its ability to accept others.
“We greatly appreciate the commitment made here today,” she said.
Among Dandenong Ranges residents were Selby resident Karen Frazier Walsh from Boston in the USA, and Bart Couvreur, originally from Belgium.
Bart, who now lives with his family, Aussie wife Monica and children Alana and Liam at The Patch listed some practical reasons for taking citizenship, including the right to vote … “to sort Tony Abbot out”.
“I like the way people here are a bit more laid back, and very friendly in comparison to Belgium,” he added.
Michelle Hardicre came to Australia from Northern England with husband Daniel and two dogs in 2005. She was 14 weeks old with their ‘made in England, born in Australia’ son, Benjamin. Charlotte came three years later.
“We couldn’t afford a holiday, so we came to stay,” she said.
Cr Cliff joined his colleagues in welcoming Yarra Ranges newest citizens with Womenjika and a “G’day”.
