The new citizens from 12 different countries, including Burma, Vietnam, Lebanon, England and Brazil, and ranging in age from eight to 67-years-old, were officially sworn in by Mayor Khal Asfour on the eve of Australia Day.
Mrs Bibi fled to Australia with her husband and two children in 2011 to escape the war in Burma and settled in Lakemba where she’s had four more children and found solace in a close knit Rohinyan community.
While Australia Day is important to Mrs Bibi, she’s grateful and “happy everyday” to live in a “kind, loving and sharing country”.
Mrs Bibi was accompanied by her husband and six children who were all very excited to see her officially become an Aussie on Australia Day.
For Bankstown local, Thi Vo, receiving Australian Citizenship is just the start to the 2023 she was hoping for.
“After I did the test, I was checking my email every night waiting for this day,” she said.
Mrs Vo settled in Bankstown after moving from Vietnam to seek more educational opportunities and said moving to Australia was like being reborn again.
“It’s given me a new me… a new way of thinking and new mindset,” she said.
East Hills resident Nigel Gardener said he’s “quite chuffed” to become an Australian Citizen on Australia Day (“to put it in British terms”).
Mr Gardener moved to Australia from Britain with his family at the age of 12; only putting off getting his citizenship due to his busy family and work schedule.
“To me, Australia Day is about family and community, and I’ll be getting together with my family for quite the gathering,” he said.
He was joined by his partner, two children and seven grandchildren, who were all excited about standing alongside him, as he finally took the oath.
Mayor Khal Asfour says welcoming new citizens from far and wide is what Australia Day is all about.
“With every new citizen who takes the oath, our City is richer and stronger,” Mayor Asfour said.
“We’re all so lucky to live in a country where we are free to express our opinions, practise different faiths and come together to share our unique traditions, customs and culture.”
