Lamingtons, snags in bread and renditions of I Am Australian were all part of Shepparton’s Australia Day event, but those who attended were also invited to reflect on the nation’s past.
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More than 100 people gathered at Queen’s Gardens on Thursday, where Michael D’Elia and Judith Longley were named Shepparton’s citizen of the year and senior citizen of the year respectively.
Shepparton’s young citizen of the year was awarded to Cassidy Ahmet, who wasn’t present at the ceremony.
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All the new Australian citizens.Australia Day SheppartonAustralia Day service at Queen's Gardens Shepparton. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 15
Citizen of the year, Mick D’Elia with Mayor of Greater Shepparton Shane Sali.Australia Day SheppartonAustralia Day service at Queen's Gardens Shepparton. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 15
Senior Citizen of the year, Judith Longley.Australia Day SheppartonAustralia Day service at Queen's Gardens Shepparton. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 15
Mariah Agustin 4.Australia Day SheppartonAustralia Day service at Queen's Gardens Shepparton. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 15
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Patrick Austen age 7 getting his face painted.Australia Day SheppartonAustralia Day service at Queen's Gardens Shepparton. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 15
Robyn and Alex Druitt.Australia Day SheppartonAustralia Day service at Queen's Gardens Shepparton. Photo by Megan FisherImage 8 of 15
Abigail and Jerome Agustin with daughter Mariah, 4.Australia Day SheppartonAustralia Day service at Queen's Gardens Shepparton. Photo by Megan FisherImage 9 of 15
Sophie Fimmel sang the national anthem.Australia Day SheppartonAustralia Day service at Queen's Gardens Shepparton. Photo by Megan FisherImage 10 of 15
Meena Malla talked about her experience in Australia.Australia Day SheppartonAustralia Day service at Queen's Gardens Shepparton. Photo by Megan FisherImage 11 of 15
Timothy and Portia Aroni.Australia Day SheppartonAustralia Day service at Queen's Gardens Shepparton. Photo by Megan FisherImage 12 of 15
Citizen of the year, Mick D’Elia.Australia Day SheppartonAustralia Day service at Queen's Gardens Shepparton. Photo by Megan FisherImage 13 of 15
Maua Batuulya.Australia Day SheppartonAustralia Day service at Queen's Gardens Shepparton. Photo by Megan FisherImage 14 of 15
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Mayor of Greater Shepparton Shane Sali.Australia Day SheppartonAustralia Day service at Queen's Gardens Shepparton. Photo by Megan FisherCity of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali said Australia Day was an opportunity to reflect on a challenging few years for the community, with floods and the pandemic, and acknowledge the nation’s resilience.
“Australia Day also provides an opportunity to acknowledge, learn and understand our nation’s past and reflect on the history, traditions and culture of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” he said.
“I acknowledge that this day is not a day of celebration for all.”
More than 40 Shepparton residents of all walks of life officially became Australian citizens, making their pledge of commitment to the nation.
Timothy and Portia Aroni moved from Kenya to Australia 12 years ago and have been living in Shepparton for the past four years.
Mr Aroni teaches at a local school and Mrs Aroni is a quality manager at a local business.
Mr Aroni was presented with his citizenship and said he felt vindicated after his hard work and patience paid off.
“It means a lot to us. This is a goal for everyone who comes to Australia,” he said.
Mrs Aroni is still waiting to become a citizen, but said she was hopeful of being presented with the same honour as her husband soon.
The Aronis said they were happy in Shepparton, and that the place had been good to them.
“Shepparton, number one, is cosmopolitan. It has got so many different cultures that come together like in a melting pot,” Mr Aroni said.
“Great opportunities as well. Not only Greater Shepparton, greater opportunities,” Mrs Aroni said.
Mr Aroni said his home back in Kenya was rural, so that’s where he wanted to end up in Australia.
“I love the environment. We are full of rivers, full of trees, full of fruit and animals,” he said.
“We enjoy all the rural parts of Australia, at the same time we are in a modern place. We have our hospital, our roads, our city. It’s a good balance.
“And our house is just out of town, and every morning we are woken up by birds.”
“We call it the Serengeti,” Mrs Aroni said.
Mr Aroni thanked everyone who had helped him become a citizen, but mainly the people of Australia, and First Nations people for making them feel welcome.
Filipino couple Jerome and Abigail Agustin also received Australian citizenship, joining their four-year-old daughter, Mariah, who received her certificate on Australia Day last year.
The couple has been in Shepparton for seven years and prepared for the important day with traditional clothing brought all the way from the Philippines.
“We’re very thankful,” Mr Agustin said.
Mr Agustin came to Australia as a welder and Ms Agustin was a student, and now works in accounts and administration.
Ms Agustin said they were happy in Shepparton and had a big community of friends.
“We just bought a house late last year, so we don’t have any plans to go anywhere,” she said.
The Agustins are looking forward to travelling with their new passports and having better access to healthcare.
Shepparton Kiwanis Club put on a barbecue at the event and president Cheryl Alexander said it was always a fun day.
“It gets us out into the community — it’s a great day and it’s good to see all the new citizens,” she said.
The crowd enjoyed performances from Shepparton Brass and Wind and Shepparton musical export Monga Mukasa, who was joined on stage by his sisters.