In what has been described as Parkes’ biggest citizenship ceremony to date, a massive 14 new Australian citizens were welcomed during an official ceremony at Parkes Shire Council.
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Parkes councillors and a large contingent of families and friends of those taking the oath or affirmation assembled in the Coventry Room, near Parkes Library on Tuesday afternoon.
“I congratulate these candidates on their decision to become Australian citizens, a decision welcomed not only by me but by all Australians,” Parkes mayor Ken Keith said at the ceremony.
The new citizens are:
Rupa Abhishek Dupe, who came to Australia from India with her husband and two daughters in October 2011 and settled in Parkes straight away.
Mrs Dupe is a placement consultant with Joblink Plus, and she enjoys cooking and reading.
Mohammadebrahim Emamjomeh came to Australia from Iran in April 2012, where he relocated to Parkes in March 2016 and works as a civil engineer with John Holland.
Mr Emamjomeh enjoys watching movies, reading and basketball, and is married with a two-year-old son.
Hathaya Nongkhu arrived in Australia from Thailand in 1996.
She relocated to Parkes in 2016 and is now engaged and working at the RMS as a project contract officer.
Felipa Prado Unger arrived in Australia from the Philippines in July 2011 and settled in Parkes with her husband Donald immediately.
She is a homemaker and enjoys gardening, cooking, collecting vintage Murano glass and travelling.
Maribeth Loberanes Wagner, also from the Philippines, came to Australia in June 2012 and relocated to Parkes in June 2017.
She is a cook at Chong Hing Restaurant in Parkes.
Anoop Nair, son Maadhav Nair and Lakshmi Balachandran were also among those who became citizens.
Mr Nair, a retail assistant, arrived in Australia from India in November 2005, relocating to Trundle in March 2013 with his wife Lakshmi, who arrived in Australia on Christmas Day in 2009.
Mrs Balachandran is a registered nurse.
Daniel Kroot came to Australia from New Zealand in July 2000, relocating to Parkes in 2001.
He works as a warehouse team member with Containit Solutions.
James Murray arrived in Australia from Scotland in 1988, moving to Parkes in 1993.
He is the Regional NSW Manager with Linfox Logistics.
The Akmal family - dad Muhammad, mum Ammara, daughter Hareem and son Muhammad were the last to be called to the front of the room during the ceremony.
Mr Akmal arrived in Australia from Pakistan in July 2011 and his wife Ammara joined him soon after in September 2011.
They relocated to Parkes in November 2013, where Mr Akmal works as a procurement officer with Northparkes Mines.
Wife Ammara is a homemaker and enjoys cooking, watching moves and shopping.
They have three children – Muhammad Arham (3),Muhammad Ralim (1) and Hareem Akmal (6), who attends Parkes Public School.
