Citizenship Ceremony for Rai family

Bourke Mayor Lachlan Ford and Bourke Shire Council General Manager Leonie Brown with the Rai family at the Citizenship Ceremony at Bourke Shire Chambers on Monday – a warm Aussie welcome to Hasta Kala Rai, Ang Pasang Rai, and Aayansh Rai. Photo contributed

Story: Ian Richard Cole

The Rai family of Bourke received their Australian Citizenship at a special ceremony at Bourke Shire Chambers on Monday 23 February.

Ang Pasang Rai first came to Australia from Nepal in 2006 followed by his wife Hasta Kala Rai in 2017.  Their son Aayansh Rai was born at Dubbo in 2019.

After several years at Brewarrina Shire council, Ang is now the Manager of Corporate Services at Bourke Shire Council and Hasta now works in the pathology department of the Bourke Hospital.

Mr Rai told The Western Herald that he and his family felt very privileged to become Australian citizens.

“Hasta and I are very grateful that we have been made to feel so welcome in Australia where we have been embraced and supported by the Bourke community,” Mr Rai said.

“We cannot express our gratitude enough – Australia is a land of great opportunity, and we are proud to call Australia our home!”