Australia Day 2021: Northern beaches grandma becomes citizen after 50 years

After more than five decades in the country, Grazia Vescio will proudly take her Australian oath of citizenship on Tuesday.

Grazia Vescio will be one of the proudest and happiest new Australian citizens when she takes her oath on January 26 — because it has taken her more than five decades to gain the honour.

The former Italian national arrived in Sydney 51 years ago with her two young children to join her late husband Angelo, who had migrated a year before. The couple would call the northern beaches their home and have another two children.

On Australia Day, the 76-year-old said she will be feeling “honoured and humbled” when she finally becomes an Australian citizen.

Grazia Vescio will become an Australian citizen on Australia Day. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Grazia Vescio, pictured at Dee Why Beach with her children Rosa Lakaev, Carmine and Sam Vescio. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“I’m so proud to call Australia home while still maintaining my Italian culture and citizenship,” she said.

“I’m feeling very happy and excited to become an Australian citizen and especially on Australia Day.”

Having spent time working in factories and later as a school cleaner, Mrs Vescio now keeps busy taking care of her grandchildren in her Dee Why home and enjoys cooking both traditional Italian and Australian food.

Her son Sam said the loss of his brother John in 2015 and then his dad only two years later had a huge impact on his mum, yet she maintained her “Aussie spirit and lifestyle”.

Grazia Vescio’s family photos. Picture: Supplied

Picture: Supplied

Picture: Supplied

“It therefore seemed finally fitting for Grazia to become Australian with an application made on her 50th anniversary of living in Australia. Due to COVID the ceremony wasn‘t possible until now,” he said.

“Mum has contributed so much to this country and the country has been so supportive to her and she wouldn’t want to be living anywhere else. Australia is her home and she wants it to be official.”

This year, Australia Day celebrations will look a little different.

Social distancing regulations have scuppered many council plans for celebrations on January 26 including the huge Yabun Festival in Victoria Park, Glebe, while Sydney Harbour’s traditional event roster will not be going ahead.

But many COVID-safe activities are still planned for residents across Greater Sydney.

The state government is supporting a range of online performances including a welcome to country and smoking ceremony, citizenship ceremonies and concerts.

Events include picnics organised by individual councils, a ticketed event at the Sydney Opera House with performances from Delta Goodrem and Dami Im as well as the Harbour annual fireworks display.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has said she will consider easing restrictions after Australia Day if case numbers remain low.

10 THINGS TO DO ON AUSTRALIA DAY

Things will look a little different under current restrictions this year. Some events are pivoting online, and others will require pre-bookings to secure your spot. In the city, the Circular Quay foreshore will be closed to the general public from 5pm. Anyone wanting to enter the area will need to be able to provide a confirmed booking for a restaurant or venue or a ticket for the Sydney Opera House’s Australia Day Live event.

1. Vigil at Barangaroo Reserve: From dusk on Monday, January 25, until dawn on January 26 a fire will be lit at Barangaroo Reserve for all who wish to gather and contemplate the significance of this time for many First Nations people. Australia Day Live at Sydney Opera
2. House: Pop powerhouses Casey Donovan, Delta Goodrem and Dami Im will lead the line-up of entertainers at the event, which takes over Circular Quay for the evening. It will start with an opening segment performed by First Nations pop sensation Mitch Tambo, music legend Iva Davies, and world-renowned didgeridoo player William Barton. Tickets have sold out, but you can watch it on the ABC.
   
3. Australia Day at Darling Harbour: The whole precinct surrounding Tumbalong Park is set to be packed with entertainment, great eats, and a whole host of ways to have a good time on the nation’s day off. There will be free water slides, roving entertainment, DJs spinning back-to-back Aussie bangers, and of course, a barbie.
   
4. Sydney Lord Mayor’s Citizenship Ceremony: The annual ceremony will be held in the Yallamundi Room of the Sydney Opera House. The event is invite only.
   
5. Burwood Council: Australia Day picnic and movies at Wangal Park. Limited to 500 tickets. Movies run from 4pm-9pm with the films Storm Boy and Rams screening.
   
6. Camden Council: Celebrate online with activities via the Camden Council website including colouring-in, craft and a music performance by Ric Bailey. Australia Day ambassador George Tonna will deliver a message together with Australia Day award announcements.
   
7. Fairfield City Council: Fireworks begin on Monday evening, and on Tuesday the 26th access to selected pools and the youth and community centre is free. Details on the council website.
   
8. Northern Beaches Council: The traditional Australia Day breakfast has been cancelled but constituents have been encouraged to get to Beverley Job Park for markets, Forestville War Memorial Playing Fields for food trucks and Brookvale Oval for an open-air cinema.
   
9. Penrith City Council: Enjoy a dip with council sponsoring activities at Cables Wake Park and Ripples, tickets are required with limited spots for free wakeboarding at the Aqua Park from 10am-4pm.
   
10. Lane Cove Council: Lane Cove Council’s Australia Day Picnic is a ticketed event with numbers limited. Music and performances at The Plaza and Canopy before an open-air cinema to round out the day.