MOORABOOL doctor Aparna Nedunuri has lived among Ballan’s rolling cattle pastures and windy plains for two years, learning more about the town each day.
Now the Indian-born GP is in line to take the next step and become an Australian citizen.
Joining her at the next ceremony at council’s chambers will be her children, Prathic and Grhita, and husband Sundaram.
Mrs Nedunuri says she’s glad she took the time to get to know Australia, its landscape, culture and customs, before officially becoming one of the country’s own.
“I’m very proud to be called an Australian,” she says.
“I took my time to understand where I am and I just love the place I’m living in, the rural fringes. Ballan has that country appeal while still being quite close to the city; it’s a unique and lovely place.”
This week is Cultural Diversity Week, and Mrs Nedunuri says she’d like to see more multiculturalism around the shire.
“I’m very lucky I’m in the position of being able to work here. But I think if there were more working options, more migrants would be attracted to living here.”
Mrs Nedunuri thinks a way of attracting different cultures to the shire would be to create more diverse shopping and food hubs to facilitate more work and perhaps a bigger hospital.
“If I hadn’t been fully educated and wasn’t a doctor I would probably struggle to find work here,” she says.
“With my husband already commuting for work, one of us needs to be close to town for the kids.
“At the same time, I like the small-town feel and don’t want Ballan to grow too much, so it’s a double-edged sword.”
Mrs Nedunuri says she has been embraced as a GP at Ballan’s super clinic.
“I love the locals’ friendliness. They have accepted me as their doctor, and my family. My kids go out to play in our cul de sac; it’s a very friendly and safe place.
“When we first moved in our neighbours brought us muffins. I can’t imagine that happening in a metro area, and things like that make me happy I’ve chosen this town to migrate to.”
Council worker and multicultural ambassador Jeme Liang said highlighting the shire’s diversity was important.
“In Bacchus Marsh, for instance, there are more and more different ethnic cuisines popping up in restaurants, it creates more choice in life.”
