🇦🇺 Bega Valley Welcomes 17 New Citizens in Moving Ceremony

The Bega Valley Shire Council recently hosted a poignant Australian citizenship ceremony on May 23, 2025, welcoming seventeen new individuals to the nation. The event, a significant milestone for those involved, saw residents from diverse backgrounds make their pledge to Australia.

Dr Michael Holland, the local Member for Bega, was present at the Legislative Assembly’s Community Recognition Statements to acknowledge the new citizens and highlight the importance of their commitment. He spoke of the honour it was to attend the ceremony, held within the Bega Valley Shire.

Each of the seventeen new Australians proudly recited the pledge, affirming their loyalty to Australia and its people. This solemn promise includes sharing democratic beliefs, respecting rights and liberties, and upholding Australian laws.

Among those who officially became Australian citizens were Connor Vincent Laughton, Arminder Singh Gill, Sunanta Piranrum, Michael Paul Ray, Anna Louise Leslie Smith, Anna Christina Steinhaus, Suwit Chainok, Natkamol Phongphanit, Suphatat Chainok, Vamsi Krishna Ramisetty, Colin Martin Searston, Pooja Kamboj, Manoj Kumar, Shyan Kamboj, Lalu Jayapalan Sahithi Devi, and Shruti. Their integration marks a valuable addition to the vibrant community of Bega and the broader Bega Valley.