Surf Coast Shire has new Australian faces thanks to the council’s July citizenship ceremony.
David Rubin de Celis Leal moved to the Surf Coast Shire from San Luis Potosi in Mexico seven years ago to complete a PhD and was one of 22 people to be awarded Australian citizenship.
The Deans Marsh resident said he could barely contain his excitement at the ceremony, letting out a ‘whoop’ before accepting his certificate.
“When they called my name, I didn’t know what to do, so I made a bit of noise like good Mexicans do,” he said.
“It was like the cherry on the cake… an official seal from the government to accept me as an Australian.
“Knowing that you have this place that is yours, that this country is now mine with everyone else, is a great feeling.”
New citizen Marianela Tobon Cortes moved from Puebla in Mexico to China to study 12 years ago when she met her Torquay husband and, after seven years, decided to come live in Australia.
“I have been made very welcome here and have always felt part of the community, but you still have that extra place for making it more official,” she said.
“I am extremely happy to be in Surf Coast Shire because I know how amazing my husband’s childhood was here, so I’m happy to give that to my kids. That’s my goal.”
Councillor Mike Bodsworth said it was a “privilege and pleasure” to participate in the citizenship ceremonies.
“Formalising such a big step in someone’s life is a great honour,” he said.
“Seeing and feeling the pride and excitement of the conferees and those closest to them is really special.”
