For Tsultrim Nima, finally becoming an Australian citizen means embracing the values, freedom of expression and lifestyle that life Down Under brings.
It’s a far cry from the 45-year-old’s early years, when he fled persecution as a Buddhist in Tibet and ended up a refugee in neighbouring India.
“They started to restrict very heavily what you could practice and how you could practice, and they started hunting people down, so we had to escape,” Mr Nima said.
“It wasn’t just religion. Even language and basic human rights such as freedom of expression were heavily restricted.”
Mr Nima, an aged care worker, moved to Australia five years ago under a Special Humanitarian Program that provides residency to people who are subject to “substantial discrimination in their home country, amounting to a gross violation of their human rights”.
Mr Nima, wife Tenzin Dolker and children Tenzin Yeshi, 14, and Tenzin Soepa, 8 took the final step in their long journey on Thursday, taking the citizenship pledge alongside almost 90 others at a ceremony at Rathmines Theatre in Lake Macquarie.
“In Australia, it’s very safe, there is freedom and we feel safe all the time,” Mr Nima said.
“The children can get a very good education, and they get a lot of opportunities.”
Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said participants in Thursday’s ceremony came from 30 nations spanning the globe, from Canada to China, and from Nigeria to the Netherlands.
Some were recent arrivals, while others have lived in Australia for more than 50 years but were only now becoming citizens.
“Whatever their back-story, everyone who took the citizenship pledge today is so lucky to call Australia, and Lake Mac, home,” Cr Fraser said.
“Likewise, we as a community are so fortunate to welcome these new citizens, who enrich us with their cultures, traditions, knowledge and shared desire to officially become Aussies.”
Lake Macquarie City Council hosts regular citizenship ceremonies throughout the year, with further ceremonies already scheduled for April, August and October.
