Proud to call Australia home

Morris and his five-year-old son Ethan were among 24 people to become Australian citizens during a ceremony at Hopwood Gardens on Australia Day.

“I love this country,” Morris said as he held the certificate confirming he was now officially Australian.

“We moved here more than four years ago, originally to Tongala, and were so warmly welcomed by everyone.

“This means a great deal and it is special to have our family friends Jopie and Margaret in the crowd, because they were our neighbours when we first arrived and have become family to us.”

Morris is an infection control leader at Wharparilla Lodge.

His wife Shahnaz looked on with pride as her husband and son received their citizenship certificates from Campaspe Shire Mayor Rob Amos and a native plant.

The couple’s adorable one-year-old daughter Illiana, born in Australia, played around the gardens without a care in the world.

Morris said the family would celebrate the occasion with a lunch with friends.

Just a few metres away Navitalai Ratawake was beaming with pride.

He was sporting a magnificent floral shirt on the day he officially became an Aussie, paying homage to his Fijian heritage with a sulu.

The Kyabram resident shared his journey from Suva to Australia.

“I moved here six years ago with my wife and kids,” he said.

“I work in Melbourne building cars for RAM, that keeps me pretty busy.

“It feels pretty great, we moved to Australia for more opportunity and it is a wonderful country.”

A keen sports fan, Navitalai follows the Brisbane Broncos in the NRL, but grew up playing rugby union.

He said a party at home during the afternoon was the plan when it came to celebrating a day he will always remember.