Australia’s newest citizens (from left) Louise Conway, Jasmine Conway, Richard Conway, Hue Nguyen and Sheena Cardines with Murray River Council Mayor John Harvie. Photos: Jordan Townrow
Staying true to the “boundless plains to share” touted in Advance Australia Fair, Australia’s newest citizens were officially welcomed at a citizenship ceremony on Thursday, May 1.
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Murray River Council hosted the ceremony at Rich River Golf Club, led by Mayor John Harvie.
Five new citizens have officially become Australians, with a pledge of commitment certifying the process.
Murray River Council residents Sheena Cardines hails from the Philippines, Hue Nguyen from Vietnam, and Louise, Richard and Jasmine Conway are from New Zealand.
Sheena Cardines is originally from the Philippines.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
The Conways moved to Echuca-Moama after Richard found work at Campaspe Shire Council in 2017.
“We moved to a place we couldn’t pronounce,” Louise said.
“It’s very close to New Zealand, the culture and everything is quite similar, so I look at us like cousins, the two countries.
“We were made to feel very welcome when we came.”
Eight years on, the family feels at home in the region, immersing themselves in the community and all it has to offer.
Post-October 2022 floods, Louise created the River Relief fundraiser, raising $50,000 for those impacted by the floods through the sale of T-shirts.
“We weren’t affected, but wanted to do something to help the others in the area,” she said.
“I thought I’d run a T-shirt fundraiser, and then it took off.
“Suddenly, it was a big thing and rallied $50,000.”
Louise, Jasmine and Richard Conway moved from New Zealand to Australia eight years ago.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
The family is grateful for the opportunities in Echuca-Moama and connections they have built since arriving.
Taking the step to become citizens felt like the right decision.
“We’re fortunate to be here, and to have been accepted and now be citizens,” Louise said.
“With the clubs, like the local camera club, we’ve joined the bowling club and the RSL, we try to get involved in local events.
“For a few years, we still talked about going ‘home’ to New Zealand, whereas now, this is home.”
Hue Nguyen hails from Vietnam.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Each citizenship ceremony includes a welcome message from the Federal Immigration and Multicultural Affairs Minister, a citizenship pledge and finishes with the national anthem.
“That line (in Advance Australia Fair) about people from across the sea, it’s a nice way of putting things,” Richard said.
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