Proud to become an Aussie on our national day
GOONELLABAH Sports and Aquatic Centre was a veritable United Nations yesterday, with 33 people from 15 nations taking their citizenship ceremony
Lismore
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lismore. Followed categories will be added to My News.
GOONELLABAH Sports and Aquatic Centre was a veritable United Nations yesterday, with 33 people from 15 nations taking their citizenship ceremony as part of Australia Day celebrations.
As Mayor Jenny Dowell pointed out, they all have a story to tell, but probably none more remarkable than Sibomana Nzaramba and his wife Emilienne Mukarwema who managed to escape Rwanda during the genocide of 1994.
They lost three children to the brutal killings, but now have three daughters.
The youngest, Joy, was born in Lismore and therefore already a citizen.
The eldest, Janine was born in a jungle in The Congo and Confiance was born in a Kenyan refugee camp.
Their remarkable journey to Australia was made possible by Sanctuary Northern Rivers.
Cr Dowell said it was the largest citizenship ceremony she had presided over during her seven years as mayor.
Other nations represented in the ceremony included Indonesia, The Philippines, South Korea, China, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Canada, the USA and UK.
Extra seating was required to cater to the packed crowd who had come to see friends, family and colleagues recognised for their value community work in the annual Australia Day Awards.
"These people (the award nominees) all want to make the world, or at least our little part of it, a better place. Not just today, but every day for the future," Cr Dowell said.
The Australia Day ambassador was Clyde Campbell, the grandson of former Lismore Mayor Clyde Campbell (1956-66).
Mr Campbell is a successful Sydney businessman in the field of robotics and electronics and at the age of 44, was diagnosed with Parkinson 's disease.
Lismore's Australia Day winners
Citizen of the Year - Dr Austin Curtin
Young Citizen of the Year - Jacob Botha
Debra Rhodes Aboriginal Citizen of the Year - Rev. Dorothy Harris-Gordon
Services in Community (Individual) - Margaret Lord
Services in Community (Group) - U3A Northern Rivers
Sportsperson (Senior) - Paul Leadbetter
Sportsperson (Junior) - Samantha McKenna
Sports Team - Lismore Storm U/18 Women's Basketball
Sustainable Environment - Lorraine Vass
Art / Cultural - Karen Traise and Ian Bowles
Watch: Tobacconist blows up in suspected arson attack
A northern NSW tobacconist has erupted in flames in a suspected arson attack amid a spate of similar fires locally and statewide. See the moment the building explodes.
Builder fighting Ballina siege charges
A North Coast man allegedly armed himself with knives and a golf club during a six-hour siege in which he told tactical police he would not come peacefully and they would have to “shoot him”. Here’s the latest.