Throughout its proud history, Parkes has always opened its heart and homes to migrants and in particular the displaced from war-torn countries.
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This is evidenced by the historic remains of the migrant camp which occupied the RAAF training base at the Parkes Airport after World War II.
In those years the camp was home to many migrants - the majority of whom were from Poland.
It formed the catalyst towards the development of tolerance and caring within the Parkes community.
This week Parkes Shire Council didn’t hesitate to accept a recommendation from Mayor Ken Keith for the shire to become a Refugee Welcome Zone.
“These wonderful people are bringing with them a broad range of skills and talents needed by our communities,”
- Mayor Ken Keith commenting on Parkes Shire Council’s decision to become a Refugee Welcome Zone.
The decision will be formally acknowledged during a public signing ceremony later this year.
More than 100 Council’s including Cowra, Dubbo and Bathurst are already signatories to the Declaration which is an initiative of the Refugee Council of Australia.
Cr Keith said a growing number of migrants are choosing to call Parkes Shire their home.
“This is evidenced by the growing number of citizenship ceremonies occurring in Parkes,” Cr Keith said.
“Even today we are conducting a Naturalisation Ceremony for eight of our shire residents who have come from countries such as Bangladesh, China, Lebanon, Indonesia, Iraq and the Philippines.
“These wonderful people are bringing with them a broad range of skills and talents needed by our communities.
“That is why I believe the Parkes Shire should reaffirm its welcome to new citizens displaced from oppressive and war torn countries to our communities.”
Cr Keith said there were no financial obligations to Council in becoming a signatory to the Declaration.
“Council’s are simply being encouraged to support refugees through the creation of a formal Council policy relating to refugees and asylum seekers, and through community outreach programs,” he said.
Reflecting on the history of the migrant camp established in Parkes after the second world war, Cr Keith said Parkes’ caring nature continues to shine through.
“Many of those displaced migrants housed at the camp established at the Parkes Airport all those years ago, in particular the Polish migrants, have become household names in Parkes through their significant contributions to the community,” Cr Keith said.
“The fact that polish was the second most popular language in Parkes at one stage says a lot about us as a community.
“Today you only need to look around the shire where you will discover a lot of residents have come from war-torn zones.
“We have several here as part of Council’s staff.
“Parkes is certainly open to refugees and I suggest we (Council) work with the local multi-cultural group in planning towards the public signing ceremony,” Cr Keith said.
The decision was unanimously endorsed by Council.
“I totally endorse this proposal and would like to say I will be proud to be part of this Refugee Welcome Zone title given to our shire,” Cr Barbara Newton said.
Meet our proud new Aussies
Once upon a time a Naturalisation ceremony at a Parkes Shire Council meeting would involve one or two people pledging their loyalty to Australia and its people.
This certainly hasn’t been the case lately where multiple ceremonies have been the order of the day.
At Tuesday’s Council meeting, shortly after Council voted to become part of the Refugee Welcome Zone program, seven people took the oath and so became our newest Aussies.
They included Mr Anisul Bhuiyan from Bangladesh, Mr Shifu Chen (China), Mr Hassan El Dirani (Lebanon), Ms Berliana Kurniawati (Indonesia), Miss Jovain Nacino (The Philippines), Mr Farell Simanjuntak (Indonesia) and Mrs Amira Daod (Iraq).
Mayor Ken Keith, assisted by General Manager Kent Boyd conducted the brief ceremony which was attended by many of the participants family and friends.
As is tradition, all were formally introduced and presented bibles, commemorative coins and a specially inscribed pen - all gifts from Council - before making their pledge of allegiance and receiving their Naturalisation certificates.
Following is a brief summary of Parkes newest citizens:
* Mr MD Anisul Haque Bhuiyan - came to Australia from Bangladesh in April 2010 and settled in Parkes with his wife Sabrina and son Hadid in August that year. Mr Bhuiyan works as a Business Analyst at Northparkes Mines. he enjoys cricket, watching movies and fishing.
* Mr Shifu Chen - came to Australia from China in November 2006 and settled in Parkes in May 2013. Mr Chen is a cook and spends some of his spare time watching movies, listening to music and playing sport.
* Mr Hassan El Dirani - came to Australia from Lebanon in July 2009. he settled in Parkes in November 2012 and currently works in a business store. Hassan enjoys playing basketball and rugby league.
* Ms Berliana Kurniawati - moved to Australia in January 2009 from her home in Indonesia. She moved to Parkes in August of this year with her husband Farell and son Ethan. Ms Kurniawati is a housewife and enjoys spending her free time reading and running.
* Miss Jovain Anne Sampang Nacino - moved to Australia in March 2010 from her home in the Philippines and settled in Parkes the same month. She is currently studying at Parkes TAFE and completing two Certificate III courses - Business and Administration, and Early Childhood Education and Care.
* Mr Farell Chritophel Simanjuntak - arrived in Australia in September 2006 from Indonesia. He arrived in Parkes in August of this year where along with wife Berliana have settled here with son Ethan. Mr Simanjuntak is a mining engineer and takes a great interest in playing sports and working out.
* Mrs Amira Fatoohi Daod - arrived in Australia in February, 2010 from her home country of Iraq. She settled in Parkes two years later (February, 2012). Married to retired university professor Samir, they have three children together, Liza, Reem and Sam. they also have nine grandchildren. Mrs Daod is a retired teacher and enjoys reading and cooking.