THE centrepiece of Australia Day celebrations in the Bass Coast Shire, on Friday, January 26, was the ceremony in Wonthaggi where the community welcomed 18 new Australian citizens.
It was a joyful occasion for the families and friends of the 18, hosted by Bass Coast Mayor Cr Clare Le Serve, with two Members of Parliament, Melina Bath MLC and Renee Heath- MLC in attendance, and also with the Deputy Mayor Cr Rochelle Halstead and Cr Geoff Ellis present when the new Australians each pledged allegiance to their new country.
“From this time forward,” they said, “I pledge my loyalty to Australia and its people, whose democratic beliefs I share, whose rights and liberties I respect, and whose laws I will uphold and obey.”
Eastern Victoria Province MP Melina Bath stressed the importance of the rights and responsibilities of being an Australian, acknowledging while some had already been residents here for a long time, all should find a way “to embrace your new country” by contributing your talents and enriching the culture and one of the best ways to do that was volunteering.
It was a theme picked up by 2023 Bass Coast Environment and Sustainability Award winner Paul Speirs, a Landcare leader who said the community-based service could always use plenty more volunteers.
But, without doubt, there was an obvious highlight when the face of the youngest new citizen, Maya Jun Cui Parvez, lit up as she was presented with a big, fluffy penguin keepsake by Cr Halstead, together with her citizenship certificate by Mayor Clare Le Serve.
Everyone else received a native plant and a book, as well as a framed copy of their Australian Citizenship Certificate.
People from New Zealand, China, Papua and New Guinea, Bangladesh, Europe and the UK were among the recipients and it was smiles and applause all round at the end, followed by a rousing chorus of ‘Advance Australia Fair’.
A poignant presentation by the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, reinforcing the care for country message opened proceedings.
