New Aussies in South Gippsland

Eight South Gippslanders became dinky-di Aussies at a Wednesday night citizenship ceremony held in Leongatha’s council chambers.
Iconic Australian images such as echidnas, banksias and wattle, vegemite and meat pies were shown on screens, accompanied by the patriotic sounds of the South Gippsland Shire Brass Band playing live numbers including ‘I am Australian’ and ‘I Still Call Australia Home’.
Council’s Interim CEO Allison Jones and Mayor John Schelling led the formalities, half the conferees electing to pledge their allegiance to Australia by oath and the rest by affirmation. 
Cr Schelling told the conferees they would assume both the privileges and responsibilities of Australian citizenship.
Ruth Hamilton from the UK, who lives in Tarwin Lower, decided that after 37 years in the land down under it was time to officially become an Aussie, her son-in-law’s decision to do so recently encouraging her to follow suit.
She looks forward to having an Australian passport and to voting, saying she can have her say in the upcoming Federal election, making her feel more engaged in the process.
Ruth is delighted to have migrated to Australia to raise her children due to the available opportunities, saying she’s never looked back, becoming an Australian citizen reinforcing the sentiment that she is at home.
Settling on the coast of South Gippsland makes for the perfect environment to wind down as she heads for retirement, enjoying having a larger block, chickens and a vegetable garden, along with a friendly community.
Toora resident, Charles Kagonda has lived in Australia for 21 years after arriving from his native Zimbabwe and is excited to be an Aussie, like Ruth looking forward to voting.
He moved to Australia as a skilled migrant so his children could grow up in a peaceful environment with opportunities to follow their passions and shape their own futures.
Having been raised in a rural environment where he looked after livestock, coming to South Gippsland felt like a return to his roots and he has reconnected with farming and loves spending time in nature.
Vasko Cickovski of North Macedonia came to Australia to study accounting, falling in love with the country and its people.
He and his family moved to South Gippsland when they purchased a bakery in Meeniyan, all of them enjoying country life and visiting nearby beaches.
Deborah Williams arrived in Australia with her family as a youngster, her parents making the move in search of a brighter future, and she and her family were drawn to the charm of South Gippsland, the peace and quiet, welcoming community and relaxed country atmosphere.
She continues to enjoy the open spaces, bushland and horse riding and walking in nature reserves.
Kiwis Kenneth and Diane Dixon shifted to Australia when Kenneth got work at BHP in South Australia, eventually heading to Victoria and making the move to South Gippsland in retirement after being drawn there by the stunning countryside and relaxed pace.
Jody Page was a television producer and studio engineer in Connecticut America before meeting and marrying an Australian from South Gippsland and moving to Australia during the pandemic.
He loves South Gippsland’s beaches and restaurants and the chance to spend quality time with family, being a keen camper and a theatre lover.
Bertram Trow from the United Kingdom came to Australia during a gap year, meeting his now wife just a week before he was to head home and quickly deciding to cancel his flights.
He and his wife settled in Korumburra, friends already having moved to the area, Bertram feeling at home with the cool and wet weather.
Bertram and his family love exploring nearby towns, learning about the region’s history and enjoy foraging for wild foods and having space to grow their own produce.
The new citizens were free to sing the national anthem with the accompaniment of the brass band.
In keeping with modern sentiments, the Australian flag was accompanied by those representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and attendees and conferees heard of the enduring culture and importance of the nation’s original inhabitants.