Australian Citizenship
CERTIFICATES: Daisy and Lisa Hibbert with
Australia Day ambassador Peter McLean.
Australia Day was a special occasion for Lisa Hibbert and her daughter Daisy as it was also the day that they both became Australian Citizens. Before the Australia Day awards were announced, Lachlan Shire Council Mayor Des Manwaring conducted the ceremony, where they both made their Australian Citizenship pledge. Councillor Manwaring told the gathering that the pledge is the final step in Lisa and Daisy becoming Australian Citizens.
"Australian citizenship represents full and formal membership of the community of the Commonwealth of Australia. It is a common bond, involving reciprocal rights and obligations, uniting all Australians, while respecting their diversity. Lisa and Daisy you are now Australian citizens and members of a great family and a great nation. The basic right of all Australian citizens is equality before the law. Once a citizen, there is no distinction between you and any other, in rights, privileges or responsibilities. Australia gives its citizens the chance to live and grow in liberty. In return we owe Australia our duty as good neighbours and good citizens. Australia's future success depends on the way we work together. This act of law is now complete and I offer my congratulations and best wishes for your happy and successful future as citizens of Australia," councillor Manwaring announced.
Lisa and Daisy Hibbert arrived in Condobolin in April 2002, when Daisy was only three years old. They came out from England to visit long time friend Rowena Wald and fell in love with the place. Both have been involved in the Swimming Club and Netball over the years and have called Condobolin home ever since.
Lisa and Daisy are originally from Cheshire in the United Kingdom, where Lisa worked for Lloyds Bank in the corporate finance division. Lisa has been employed in town by the Wiradjuri Condobolin Corporation for the last five years. Lisa said that they both have great friends in Condobolin and have received lots of support from the community. "Our friends have made us both feel extremely welcome. Daisy is now 13 years of age and at Scots School in Bathurst after receiving an All Rounders Scholarship. It has been a long journey for us, full of trials and tribulations for us both. It has been a challenge for us to stay in Condobolin and have fought hard to stay here. Obtaining full time employment with the WCC for the last five years has made all this possible and thanks go to Percy Knight and the other staff for making us feel welcome. We are both excited to be able to receive Australian Citizenship and we are both very proud to be now counted as such. I am now told that I have to work hard on my accent, so fair dinkum mate, I'll give it my best shot," Lisa Hibbert said.
Serving our country
Since moving from Condobolin to the south coast of New South Wales, the Norris family has really taken to the salt air.
Many will remember John (Norco) and Jenny Norris whose three girls Katie, Stephanie and Sarah were all born in Condobolin. In an unusual twist, the three girls have all embarked on a career with the Navy. Stephanie recently graduated in HMAS Cerberus in Melbourne and has been been posted to Darwin, while Sarah has been on HMAS Newcastle for some time and is now moving to HMAS Watson at Watson's Bay in Sydney. Katie has been posted to HMAS Melbourne and looking forward to travelling overseas this year.
While the Norris girls are scattered across Australia, they still call Condobolin 'Home' and hope to make it back here in April to meet family and friends and march at the local ANZAC day ceremony.