Kyabram’s newest citizen, Emily Melville, purchased two brand new dresses for her and her daughter to wear with pride at the recent Campaspe Citizenship Ceremony.
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“It was just such a special day and that’s why I bought us special new dresses just for the occasion,” Mrs Melville said.
“You don’t get to become an Australian citizen every day, you only get to do it once.”
Mrs Melville and her seven-year-old daughter, Elisha Melville, were two of nine new citizens welcomed at the American Hotel in Echuca on Tuesday, July 11.
The ceremony was opened by Yorta Yorta man Uncle Rick Ronnan, who delivered a Welcome to Country, which was followed by a heartfelt speech by Campaspe Shire Mayor Rob Amos.
“Many of us were fortunate to be born in Australia. But the attendees here tonight have done the hard work to get here. Many of them have left their families and friends where they came from,” Cr Amos said.
“We welcome all the people who have travelled the thousands of kilometres from across the world’s oceans and have now made businesses or are working in great jobs and contributing to our society.”
Originally from the Philippines, Mrs Melville married Australian Brian Melville in 2015.
A family together: Emily Melville, Elisha Melville and Brian Melville.
She visited Australia frequently on a tourist visa but their relationship remained mostly long-distance until 2017, when she officially made the move to Australia.
In 2018, the Melvilles moved from Ballarat to Kyabram where Mrs Melville secured a role as a patient care assistant at Warramunda Village aged care facility.
“My life in Australia is so amazing ... I feel very blessed. I have a great life. We’re not struggling, as I have a good income,” she said.
“I love our community, I have a lot of Filipino and Aussie friends from this community.”
Wonderful, warm and intimate were the three words new citizen Corazon Ashe used to describe the evening.
Ms Ashe, who is also from the Philippines, moved to Girgarre after falling in love with her now husband.
She said she feels so grateful for the people of Girgarre, who have embraced her as one of their own.
“I started volunteering immediately after I arrived in 2017,” Ms Ashe said.
“I volunteer at the local nursery, propagating plants and selling them. It’s been such a great way to get to know everybody in the community.
“I also worked for two and a half years as a fruit packer, but I am hoping to find something new.”
One thing all the new citizens have in common is that they all share mutual excitement for whatever the future may bring.
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