Deniliquin welcomes new citizens

He lead the National Anthem and the official pledges before presenting each new citizen with a certificate and a native Australian plant to mark the occasion.

Family, friends and community members gathered to celebrate the milestone, recognising the town’s growing multicultural community and the diverse stories behind each new resident.

Pauline has lived and worked across Australia, including Broome, Derby, and a few places in Victoria.

Originally hailing from the Bay of Islands region of New Zealand, Pauline was reminded by friends that she originally came to Deniliquin only temporarily.

But she soon decided to stay.

“This place reminds me of back home in New Zealand,” she said.

“There’s nothing like it, it’s beautiful.”

Simran Gill, originally from Punjab, India, lived in Cobram before moving to Deniliquin in 2015 seeking better opportunities.

She said life in Deniliquin reminded her of home.

“The rural life is similar to village life back in India,” she said, adding that Deni offered “more facilities.”

Simran now owns Bakers Delight, having worked her way up from employee to business owner.

Richard Nelley came to Australia from Waikato in New Zealand in 2005.

He settled in Deniliquin in 2016, and said he still feels some connection to his homeland.

“I do support the Wallabies, but I can’t turn my back on the All Blacks,” he laughed.

He noted that the winter chill in Deniliquin reminds him of home.

“This time of year, the cold is certainly a similarity.”

The ceremony highlighted the shared experiences and diverse backgrounds that continue to enrich the Deniliquin community, with each new citizen bringing their own story and sense of belonging to the region.