Parkes Shire Councillors with the new citizens at the Cooke Park Pavillion.
A Citizenship Ceremony for new Parkes Shire citizens was held on Sunday evening, 25 January, welcoming 17 new citizens to the community.
Deputy Mayor Marg Applebee welcomed this year’s Parkes Shire Ambassadors Dr Skye Charry and Professor William Chan to the event, along with the new citizens’ families and friends. Parkes Shire Mayor Neil Westcott signed the Citizenship Certificates, which were presented to the new citizens during the ceremony. Congratulations to our new citizens:
• Bonifacio Magan Caneta: Born in the Philippines, Bon arrived in Australia in 2013.
• Ma Liesel Lecias Garth: Liesel was born in the Philippines, arrived in Australia in 2016.
• Joyce Dela China Grady: Joyce was born in the Philippines, arrived in Australia in 2018.
• Danecia Ronique Jacobs: Born in South Africa, Danecia arrived in Australia in 2018.
• Vito Jacobs: Vito was born in South Africa, arrived in Australia in 2018.
• Simranpreet Kaur: Simi was born in India, arrived in Australia in 2018.
• Gurbani Kaur Sandhu: Gurbani, 5, was born in Australia, moved to Parkes in 2021.
• Yuh Ming Alvin Kong: Born in Malaysia, Alvin arrived in Australia in 2010.
• Megan Cyan O’Toole: Megan was born in England, arrived in Australia in January 2020.
• Mabel Surigao Ruizo: Mabel was born in the Philippines, arrived in Australia in 2019.
• Gagandeep Singh Sandhu: Gagandeep was born in India, arrived in Australia in 2013.
• Shingirai Ropafadzo Sibanda and Michal Sibanda: Shingi was born in Zimbabwe, arrived in Australia in 2019.
• Abeline Minakshi Smith: Abeline was born in Fiji, arrived in Australia in 2021.
• Jack Aaran Smith: Jack was born in Fiji, arrived in Australia in 2021.