G’day mate … how many times do we hear it and think nothing of it? Yet Harriet Bevan fell in love with Australia because of the friendship this greeting holds.
Ms Bevan came down-under from Worcestershire, England, almost five years ago. After living at Melton for three years, she now calls Blackwood home – and can’t imagine living anywhere else.
The best part about living in Australia has been the “nice and easy lifestyle”, the mum-of-two says.
“Whenever I go back to England, I always say, ‘It’s like you’re living in the rush hour’ – everyone’s just so busy, and they just have so much to do, they have no time for each other.
“Australians always have time for each other and always say g’day to each other, which is really nice.”
Ms Bevan became an Australian citizen at Moorabool council about two weeks ago, one of 26 people to now call this country home. They come from countries across the globe, including India, Switzerland, South Africa, Malta and Colombia.
At the ceremony, Moorabool mayor Paul Tatchell congratulated Australia’s newest citizens for taking the citizenship pledge.
“Australia can take enormous pride in your decision to freely choose to become part of this nation as a fully participating member,” Cr Tatchell said.
“Australia gains by your commitment to it, and through the contributing you will make, to its wellbeing.”
To find out about becoming an Australian citizen, call the Citizenship Information Line on 131 880.
