City of Newcastle welcomed 180 new Australians from six continents on Thursday as they took the pledge of commitment to their new home in a moving citizenship ceremony at City Hall.
Among the new citizens were Sathish Clastinrusselraj Indirathankam, 43, and Minimalar Thankamani, 40, from India. The husband and wife met at church and began raising their daughters Shanice, 9, and Shawna, 6, in their home state of Tamil Nadu.
(l-r) New Australian citizen Dr Mary Amponsah, Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and (clockwise from top left) new citizens Mrs Minimalar Thankamani, Dr Sathish Clastinrusselraj Indirathankam, Shanice Sathish and Shawna Sathish.
Dr Sathish, now a Senior Lecturer in Engineering at the University of Newcastle, toured Australia in 2018 as a visiting scientist and the family have since made Elermore Vale their home.
"Our first moments in Australia were a whirlwind of emotions. As we stepped into Australia, it starkly contrasted with what we were used to. We were struck by the friendliness of the people we encountered, which immediately put us at ease," Dr Sathish said.
"Newcastle's beaches, parks and forests offer endless outdoor activities and relaxation. These natural spaces have helped us to connect with the Australian way of life."
As Mary Amponsah, 35, took the pledge she marked a new chapter in a life that began in the shanties of Kumasi, Ghana and has yielded a PhD in Economics at the University of Newcastle.
The oldest child following the loss of her brother and father, Dr Amponsah won a scholarship that meant leaving her mother, two sisters and Africa for the first time.
Her first safe harbour in Australia was a sympathetic cabbie; her safest of all is Sister Diana Santleben. The Zara's House founder and Newcastle refugee champion recruited Dr Amponsah as a financial administrator and protegee.
"I was that shy person when I arrived. The biggest thing I've gained in Newcastle is being more confident, seeing how approachable people are. It helps me open up," she said.
"I'm also glad I have gardening with Sister Di."
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said citizenship is one of the most rewarding duties of her office.
"We live in a vibrant, multicultural community that includes speakers of more than 130 languages, with almost 20 per cent of its residents having been born overseas," Cr Nelmes said.
"I congratulate all of today's new citizens, who join more than 340 people to have taken the pledge in Newcastle this year."
