A BRIEF patch of rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of the 33 new citizens welcomed at the Australia Day ceremony in Wodonga on Saturday.
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If anything, the rain was a welcome reprieve from the oppressive heat endured throughout the region over the last couple of weeks.
Hundreds of people made their way to Les Stone Park to join in the celebrations.
Politicians of all persuasions were also sure to be seen at the event – outgoing Indi MP Cathy McGowan was in attendance, alongside ‘orange independent’ and Voices for Indi successor Helen Haines.
Nationals senator and deputy party leader Bridget McKenzie appeared, as did Liberal candidate Steve Martin and Labour candidate Eric Kerr.
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New citizens from a diverse range of backgrounds were officially welcomed to the nation, including Socorro Veneracion and her son Ynigo.
Their family had recently returned from a holiday in the Philippines, their home country – but wouldn't have missed the ceremony for anything.
“We're still a bit tired from flying overseas, we decided to come back early for the citizenship ceremony, we didn't want to miss it,” she said.
"It's very overwhelming, we're very lucky to become Australian citizens.
“We've worked very hard for this, us Filipinos are very hard workers and we always the best for our families overseas and the loved ones who are with us.”
Mrs Veneracion and her husband are both registered nurses, working in aged care and disability respectively.
After residing in Wodonga for more than six years, she said Wodonga reminded her of the town she grew up in.
“Employment opportunities brought us here, but we found we have everything we want here,” she said.
“It's a very quiet community, it's just like the city I grew up in way back, in the south of the Philippines.”
Wodonga has also become home for Parkash Singh and his family, who came to Australia from Punjab, India several years ago.
“It was really thrilling actually, to become an Australian citizen,” he said.
“It is a great honour for my family.
“This a good country, a peaceful country, and it's great to be a part of it.”
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