Last night I was asked by a friend to go along to her Australian Citizenship ceremony. It was a really big deal for her like many of the other people in the room. I am a New Zealand born, Australian. I decided to become an Australian citizen so I could vote in an upcoming State election many years ago.
I wanted to have my say. Although in a two-party preferred system like ours the choice does seem limited.
Some of my favourite moments from the ceremony were:
- The Australian Youth Choir singing Waltzing Matilda (people were singing along)
- The cheer squad in the back row that started cheering for everyone
- The theme tune to Star Wars playing in the background as people started arriving. I kept expecting Darth Vader and storm troopers to arrive
Devaki is genuinely thrilled to be an Australian and the Lord Mayor of Melbourne Robert Doyle did a great job. As he said on the night many Australian born citizens take the Australia for granted. I love living here, especially in Melbourne. But my immigration experience has been a privileged one:
- I speak English
- I had family already living here
- I joined a housing cooperative when I first came to Australia so I had secure, affordable housing
- I went to TAFE/University here in Australia and came a way with excellent qualifications
- I now have a fantastic job
Australia has been very good to me. I often think about what the immigration experience must be like for those who aren't as privileged.
New Zealand will always have a place in my heart but Australia is home. Although I am toying with living further afield in the next few years...
