Calling Campaspe home

By Emily Donohoe

Jan 30, 2025

New citizen Echuca’s Craig Danswan with his family and Campapse Shire Mayor Daniel Mackrell (left) and Uncle Rick Ronnan.

Campaspe Shire Council hosted a citizenship ceremony on Thursday, January 23 in Echuca to officially welcome 26 new Australians.

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New citizens from across the shire and from a range of countries of birth were in attendance, along with their families and friends and Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell.

New citizens make the pledge of commitment to Australia at Campaspe Shire Council’s citizenship ceremony held on Thursday, January 23. Photos: Supplied

The ceremony involved a Welcome to Country by Uncle Rick Ronnan, speeches, including from federal Citizenship Minister Tony Burke, the pledge of commitment by new citizens and affirmation by previous citizens, and singing of the Australian national anthem.

Campaspe Shire Mayor Daniel Mackrell was thrilled to welcome the new citizens.

Family members and friends were in Echuca to celebrate their loved ones becoming Australian citizens.

“As this was my first time as mayor at the citizenship ceremony, it was an honour to confer 26 new Australian citizens,” he said.

“We are delighted to have these new citizens join our community across the municipality and look forward to their contributions to our vibrant and diverse society.”

Echuca had the majority of new citizens, including Khul Prasad Bajgai (Nepal), Craig Danswan (New Zealand), Pei-Ju Juan (China), Parminder Kular (New Zealand), At Van Luong (Vietnam), Pooja Mittal (India), Albert Rizalino David Modina (Philippines), Marie Luizylle Tabanar (Philippines), Vinoya-Modina (Philippines), Yuizylle Alwen Vinoya-Modina (Philippines), Thien Van Ngoc Dinh (Vietnam), Hoang Thanh Mai Nguyen (Vietnam), Taylor Anh Tin Dinh (Vietnam), Timothy Hoang Anh Tuan Dinh (Vietnam), Toby Anh Tri Dinh (Vietnam), Aurora Bernardino Segovia (Philippines), Catherine Maria Vallance (Britian), Cassandra Michelle Ahlgren (Sweden) and Sofie Christ (Sweden).

New citizens Shannen Daphne Yvonne O’Brien of Rochester and Taryn Sandra Ryan-Brider of Rochester with Campaspe Shire Mayor Daniel Mackrell and Uncle Rick Ronnan.

There is representation across the shire, including Rochester’s Shannen Daphne Yvonne O’Brien (New Zealand), Taryn Sandra Ryan-Brider (New Zealand), Arreeya Hallinan (Thailand) and Phattharada Saraphan (Thailand); Rushworth’s Daniel Scott Patterson (New Zealand) and Raquel Flores Peker (Philippines); and Tongala’s Harriet Hineata Samuels (New Zealand).