By Luke Voogt
The wife and daughter of Geelong’s imam were among 28 new citizens officially sworn in during a Geelong Australia Day ceremony yesterday.
Gulfam Ramzan and husband Mohammad migrated from Lahore, Pakistan, to England when daughter Rubab was a month old before arriving in Australia in 2012.
Rubab, known by mates as Ruby, said she and her mother were proud to officially become citizens.
“It’s a diverse culture here and it’s really great to be a part of that.”
Ruby described Australia as “more chilled” than England, apart from the weather.
“There everyone’s busy all the time,” the 19-year-old said,
“It’s a lot warmer here and the people are very friendly. You have more time to spend with your family.”
Ruby had come to love Australia’s clean, blue-water beaches during her family’s travels around the country.
“It’s a really beautiful country,” she said.
Ruby said the Geelong community welcomed her family and was especially supportive when the city’s mosque burned down last year.
“I feel like Australia Day is a day everyone can get together and we can all just live in harmony. It’s what makes Australia what it is.”
Gulfam was proud to be “officially adopted” by Australia.
“I’m very happy here. It’s mostly untouched and close to nature.
“Because of less population there is less trouble and havoc.”
But with her new citizenship came responsibility, Gulfam said.
“It is very peaceful here unlike many places in world. We want to help make Australia greater and an even nicer place to live.”
Geelong council administrator Peter Dorling welcomed the new Australian citizens to Geelong in a ceremony at Steam Packet Gardens.
Mr Dorling said 33,000 Geelong residents were born overseas and 10 per cent spoke a language other than English at home.
“The diversity of Geelong’s population truly enriches our city.”
Mohammad Ramzan and his 14-year-old and 16-year-old sons became Australian citizens in October but his wife and daughter had to wait because they were not dependents.
“To me Australia Day means multiculturalism, tolerance and mateship,” he said.
“Australia is a beautiful country and full of opportunities for myself and my children.”
