Australia Day citizenship ceremonies 2021: New citizens welcomed

The newest Australians have formally joined the Lucky Country in citizenship ceremonies across the nation with the woes of a troubled world feeling far away on their special day.

In parks and community halls across NSW the newest Australians were proudly swearing allegiance in citizenship ceremonies - all smiles as they officially joined the “haven nation” that had taken them in from across an unsettled globe.

“I didn’t know much about Australia when I came here in 2015,” Shishira Mallasandra said.

“All I knew is that it was very beautiful. I always wanted to come here but I fell in love with it, the nature is what I love.”

Shishira Mallasandra, his wife Manasa and daughter Mishika after becoming an Australian citizen on Tuesday. Picture: Tim Hunter

He held his six-month-old daughter Mishika in his arms – she is the first Australian in his family he said proudly.

At Tuesday’s citizenship ceremony in Pennant Hills Community Centre he became the second.

Mr Mallasandra met and married his wife, Manasa, in India and she followed him to Australia once he’d secured a steady job in 2016.

She said she too will soon become a citizen.

A citizenship ceremony at the Pennant Hills Community Centre on Tuesday. Picture: Tim Hunter

The 34-year-old software engineer said quitting his job in India had been a terrifying moment but, now working at a major bank and with a home surrounded by the gum trees of Berowra Heights, he is never looking back.

Hornsby Shire Mayor Philip Ruddock had lead dozens of new Australians through the ceremony including their pledge. They were given a native sapling and dollar coin as welcome gifts.

Each new citizen sat spaced apart and masked in the spacious hall with only limited family and friends there to watch their proud day – concerns of the pandemic taking up the rest of the room.

Fely Ravago with her fiance Joventino Canete and cousin Erikka Smith. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Fely Ravago after becoming an Australian citizen on Tuesday. Picture: Tim Hunter

Philippines-born Fely Ravago said she became emotional in Tuesday’s ceremony as her fiance and cousin watched on.

Ms Ravago came to Australia in 2013 to advance her nursing career and now works as an RN in a Sydney hospital.

Those of her family who left the Philippines went to the US, where the pandemic is much worse, and it wasn’t far from her mind on Tuesday she said.

“It was a really hard decision to make to leave my country and family in the Philippines, but I’m falling in love with this country,” she said.

“It’s safe for a future plan, a haven nation among a less safe world.”