Celebrating our newest Australians

Noorani Ishak and Azhari Dain with their daughters Nurfarhanah, Nurfarahin and Nurfarzana from Singapore, are new Macedon Ranges citizens. Photo: Chris Fleming

Richard Leach and Joanna Hambling from England. Photo: Chris Fleming

Jack Werrett

Azhari Dain, Noorani Ishak and their three children Nurfarhanah, Nurfarahin and Nurfarzana are among more than 20 new citizens recognised at the Macedon Ranges Citizenship Ceremony on Australia Day, last Saturday.
The family moved to Australia from Singapore in 2006. Education played the biggest part in their decision to settle in Gisborne with husband and wife, Azhari and Noorani wanting the best learning environment available for their three daughters.
"We wanted to give the kids the best education possible and we thought that was here in Australia," Azhari said.
Azhari said adjusting to Australian life took time but they were fortunate that his wife Noorani was able to secure a full-time job.
"We were lucky my wife was given a full-time teaching position when we arrived which made things easier," he said.
Azhari and his family were very proud and excited to finally receive their citizenship at the ceremony on Australia Day.
"It was a very happy occasion, the ceremony was quite overwhelming for all of us," he said.
Azhari has comfortably taken on Aussie slang and phrases, casually ending the Guardian interview with a traditional, "see you later mate".
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Joanna Hambling and her partner Richard Leach, originally from the north-west of England, moved to Melbourne in November of 2006 because they were "sick of England," Joanna says.
"We wanted to go else where with our limited knowledge of foreign languages we decided Australia was the place to go," she said.
Joanna's partner Richard works in the renewable energy sector so they decided on Victoria as it was the state with the largest renewable energy industry in Australia.
Joanna and Richard lived in Melbourne for the first four years before they were presented with the opportunity to move to Macedon Ranges. 
Joanna jumped at the chance.
"I have a farming background so to get out into country was just perfect," she said.
Since moving into the shire Joanna and Richard have joined the Mt Macedon Fire Brigade and are really enjoying their new home.
"Everyone here is so friendly and welcoming, it's a great place to live," she said.
I ask if their allegiance to England still remains.
"Well, we decided during the Olympics to support team Great Britain first and foremost and if they were knocked out or weren't represented then we would support Australia," she said.
Joan and Richard are yet to decide who they will support for upcoming Ashes series, let's hope they make the right choice!
The Macedon Ranges Guardian would like to congratulate and welcome all the new citizens of the Macedon Ranges. The shire's newest residents come from the United Kingdom, Romania, Singapore, Ireland, Trinidad, Canada, the Philippines and the United States.