By ERWIN CHLANDA
Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi.
The chant got more boisterous each time town council CEO Rex Mooney led off on it, and by 10am this morning Australia had 58 new citizens, inducted one by one by Mayor Damien Ryan who told them they’re getting an extra bonus: Today is Territory Day as well.
He’s done 140 conferrals so far this year, and there are two more citizenship ceremonies to go. Last year he presented 400 certificates to brand new Aussies.
This morning’s candidates came from 16 countries. Some were in business suits, some in casual dress, some in the colorful costumes of their countries of origin. About a dozen children were amongst them.
Afterwards, over tea and scones, they said they had come to Alice Springs because it is not a big city, has a friendly community and excellent work opportunities.
Being a “multicultural place” is what brought nurse Jinu Cherian (top of page, front row, at left) from India to Alice Springs, “plus better opportunities”.
Ephraim Tinashe Chivhoko (second from left), from Zimbabwe, came here because Alice “is different from the rest of Australia”.
He says: “The lifestyle is better than in the bigger cities. Before I came here I lived on the Gold Coast, and I moved here because of job opportunities.
“I work in the hospital as a registered nurse.”
“I like the people, I like the country,” says Muhammad Amin Aziz Khan, who came from a country area in Pakistan – “same as Alice Springs. I love this place. There are not many people.”
He’s been a youth worker in the Laramba community, 200 km north-west of Alice Springs, for three years.
Deepak Sharma, pictured with wife Shveta, children Arshita, Aditya and Arshhia, and Mayor Ryan, says “good opportunities” lured his family to Alice Springs, “opportunity for good work, good community, good people here”.
He works in an IGA supermarket, and Shveta as an operational manager in Lil’Antz child care.
The family comes from the Punjab in Northern India.
Other countries that this morning’s new citizens came from are New Zealand, Philippines, China, South Africa, United Kingdom, Fiji, Germany, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Nepal, Macedonia and Taiwan.
Saturday, April 20, 2024
The freedom of the press still furnishes that check upon government which no constitution has ever been able to provide – Chicago Tribune.
This is so good to see. Welcome!
Please Mr Mooney, no more Aussi, Aussi, Aussi, oi, oi, oi.
It’s dated and embarrassing.
Thanks.
I wish these people well and hope they become new Australians. But sadly a lot bring their troubles with them. They need to mix with the Australians and ask what they can do for Australia. This comes from slim Fred.
When I was naturalised with my parents in 1957, most of these new Aussies would not have been allowed to immigrate. The nation and its people have made great progress in my lifetime. Welcome to these new New Australians.
Rolf Gerritson makes a good point, we have come a long way, and we are the better for it.
In the 1990s both the President of the United States and the Pope visited us and praised the success of our multi-cultural transformation, a shining light to the world.
However, there are still some people who wish we hadn’t made the journey, including the strident blond woman from Townsville featuring the TV promos for the new SBS TV program “Go back where you came from”.
This sentiment lingers still, like a bad smell – for instance Dawn Fraser’s ill-judged comments. Hangovers from our Anglo-centric past.