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 as the Master of Ceremonies for the evening, along with the new citizens' families and friends, at the Cooke Park Pavilion.
Parkes Shire Mayor Neil Westcott delivered the official ceremony details and signed the Citizenship Certificates, which were presented to the new citizens during the ceremony. Following the official ceremony, Mayor Westcott sang the National Anthem with guests while playing his guitar, providing a unique and memorable experience for those in attendance.
Councillor Doug Pout gave the Acknowledgement of Country prior to the Ceremony. Councillor Joy Paddison and General Manager Kent Boyd were also in attendance. Apologies were noted from our Federal and State Members Mr Jamie Chaffey MP and Mr Phil Donato MP.
The new citizens live and work across the Parkes Shire and have joined the community from the Philippines, South Africa, India, Malaysia, Nepal, the United Kingdom, Zimbabwe and Fiji.
Guests enjoyed a supper catered by Indigenous Cultural Food, featuring crocodile sausages and kangaroo skewers.
Congratulations goes to our New Citizens:
Bonifacio Magan Caneta - Born in the Philippines, Bon arrived in Australia in 2013, living first on the Central Coast before moving to Parkes. he is a Plumber at Garry Wilkie Plumbing and enjoys mixed martial arts.
Ma Liesel Lecias Garth - Liesel was born in the Philippines and arrived in Australia in 2016, moving straight to Parkes where she lives with her husband Brent and daughter Princess Natalie. She works in support services at Southern Cross Care Nursing Home and enjoys cooking, volunteering, gardening and swimming.
Joyce Dela China Grady - Joyce was born in the Philippines, arrived in Australia in 2018, and moved to Parkes in 2025 with her husband and son. She is an Aged Care Worker and enjoys swimming.
Danecia Ronique Jacobs - Born in South Africa, Danecia arrived in Australia in 2018, lived in Yamba, and moved to Parkes in 2021 where she lives with her family.
Vito Jacobs - Vito was born in South Africa, arrived in Australia in 2018, lived in Yamba, and moved to Parkes in 2021 where she lives with her family and works as a surveyor at Transport for NSW.
Simranpreet Kaur - Simi was born in India, arrived in Australia in 2018, lived in Kingswood NSW, and moved to Parkes in 2021 where she lives with her brother and works at Baptist Aged Care.
Gurbani Kaur Sandhu - Gurbani, 5, was born in Australia, moved to Parkes in 2021, and enjoys painting.
Yuh Ming Alvin Kong - Born in Malaysia, Alvin arrived in Australia in 2010 from Kota Kinabalu to Forbes, then moved to Bogan Gate in 2024 with his partner and extended family across the Central West and Sydney; he works as a diesel mechanic, runs a vertebrate pest control business, and enjoys hunting and flying his plane.
Megan Cyan O'Toole - Megan was born in England, arrived in Australia in January 2020, and moved to Parkes in February 2020 with her partner, their four-year-old daughter and seven-month-old son; she works as an Educator at Trundle Children's Centre and enjoys travelling, reading and family time.
Mabel Surigao Ruizo - Mabel was born in the Philippines, arrived in Australia in 2019, initially lived in Newcastle, then moved to Parkes in 2019; she lives in Tullamore with her husband Shayne and sons John and Liam, works at Peak Hill Multipurpose Services, enjoys music, and is interested in computer-related study while balancing family life.
Gagandeep Singh Sandhu - Gagandeep was born in India, arrived in Australia in 2013, lived in Kingswood NSW, and moved to Parkes in 2021 where he lives with his brother-in-law; he works as Head Chef at the Railway Hotel and enjoys playing cricket.
Shingirai Ropafadzo Sibanda and Michal Sibanda - Shingi was born in Zimbabwe, arrived in Australia in 2019, lived in Cobar, and moved to Parkes in 2024 with her husband and daughters Michal and Mikayla; she works at Evolution Mining Northparkes Operations Mine as a Development Operator, enjoys baking and cooking, and Michal, aged 8, also participated in the ceremony.
Abeline Minakshi Smith - Abeline was born in Fiji, arrived in Australia in 2021, lived in Mount Isa, and moved to Parkes in 2024 with her husband Jack and daughter; she is a stay-at-home mum and enjoys travelling and reading.
Jack Aaran Smith - Jack was born in Fiji, arrived in Australia in 2021, lived in Mount Isa, and moved to Parkes in 2024 with his wife Abeline and daughter; he works as a Mining Engineer at Evolution Mining Northparkes Operations Mine and enjoys travelling and fishing.
