Papua New Guinea-born Angelique Songoa (right), pictured with WTA Chair Jaime Gane, says she is thrilled to have become an Australian citizen last week and has thanked the “supportive and welcoming” Weipa community for helping to make her feel comfortable during her ceremony. Photo: Polly Nash.
An overwhelming sense of community support helped western Cape York’s newest Australian overcome citizen ceremony nerves, something she says helped reinforce her love of the country and Weipa community.
Papua New Guinea-born Angelique Songoa was the only participant in the Weipa Town Authority (WTA) citizenship ceremony at the Albatross Bay Resort on 22 January and admitted she had been a bundle of nerves before making her pledge before a room of unfamiliar faces.
“I was so nervous, as I didn’t know anyone in the room except my partner, but I was so lucky to have the ladies who ran the show to comfort me by explaining everything, and how my ceremony was going to go before it happened,” she said.
“Everyone in the room was so supportive and welcoming.”
Ms Songoa has lived in Weipa for the past two years and in Australia for “about nine or 10 years now” and said she was proud to call the township home as she got accustomed to calling herself a citizen.
“It’s an achievement to me that took dedication and time, and I am so grateful to be accepted as part of this country,” she reflected.
“I love the fishing lifestyle up here; we get to adventure to all the swimming holes when it’s the wet season, and we have the beautiful sunsets and sunrise shows; I also love how amazing the locals are, and so friendly to be around.”
WTA Chair Jaime Gane shared Ms Songoa’s nerves as she officiated her first citizenship ceremony and said it had been a thrill to be part of the process.
“I was so nervous not to stuff up, because it is a very prescriptive process, and it is the final step in what I’m sure would be a long and arduous journey to become an Australian citizen, so I didn’t take the responsibility lightly,” she said.
“I was really humbled to be able to share that moment with Angelique; I think that being an Australian citizen is a privilege, so it’s quite special to be the person who gets to welcome new citizens within our community.”
In Cooktown, Holly Mably and Lewis Micklewright became Australian citizens in a ceremony officiated by Cook Shire Mayor Robyn Holmes on 26 January.
“I want to congratulate our newest citizens, Holly and Lewis,” Mayor Holmes said.
“It’s always good to see members of our community wanting to take that final step and become Australian citizens.”
New Australian citizens Holly Mably and Lewis Micklewright are congratulated by Cook Shire Council Mayor Robyn Holmes and Cooktown’s Australia Day Ambassador Kevin Hughes after their ceremony on Sunday morning. Photo: Supplied.
