Euphoric scenes as new Australians sworn in

JOY and jubilation filled a standing-room-only Town Hall late last week when eighty Bendigonians were officially sworn in by mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf as Australian citizens.

The new citizens come from literally all over the world – Brazil, Myanmar, New Zealand, Mozambique, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Zimbabwe, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Canada, Taiwan, China, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Egypt, South Africa, Malaysia and Malta.

As part of the proceedings, each new constituent was presented with a citizenship certificate, a gift bag from the City of Greater Bendigo and a small native plant from Inner Wheel Bendigo.

COGB CEO Andrew Cooney, Federal member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters, newly appointed 2025 Bendigo Citizen of the Year Glenda Serpell and Young Citizen of the Year Pollyanna Smith, plus Cr Thomas Prince and Cr Damien Hurrell rounded out the welcoming party.

Addressing the crowd, Ms Serpell, founder of local charity Sunshine Bendigo, said it was her honour and privilege to stand before the colourful, eclectic group of people that now call Australia home.

“More importantly, you’ve chosen (here) as a home, and I can attest to that as a true ambassador for Bendigo,” she said.

“I was born here and I’ve spent my 63 years here – (I’ve) never lived elsewhere – so I applaud you and the choices you’ve made.

“The work you have done to get to this position is admirable (and) I look forward to doing life with you all in Bendigo.”

The new citizens included Eh So and Tha Da Shew from the Karen community, Dr Raj Champaklal Modi from India and Monitor Masuku from Zimbabwe.

Mr Eh So came to Bendigo via Sydney, where he lived for eight years, and Geelong, and has lived here for three years.

Dr Modi has lived in Bendigo for three years and came here to work at Bendigo Health. He now works as a GP in Marong.

Meanwhile, Ms Masuku came here from New Zealand in 2017 after her husband was offered a role as a mental health clinician at Bendigo Health.

She said her family “loves” living in Bendigo.

“We’re not going anywhere else!”