When Greenacre pharmacist Dr Sheikh Anwar and his family became Australian Citizens on June 23, they were not expecting their three young daughters to be singing the national anthem with Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour.
And yet, there they were, onstage singing their hearts out. It was an impromptu moment that stole the show.
Without the slightest hint of stage fright, eight-year-old Nusaiba Ameena Anwar, seven-year-old Nameera Adeela Anwar and four-year-old Nawwar Afaf Anwar stepped onstage and prepared to sing.
While the girls’ singing gig was unplanned, in the days leading up to the ceremony they’d asked their parents if it was possible for them to sing for the new Australian citizens.
“My daughters actually started practising singing the national anthem around eight months ago! We encouraged them to perform onstage as the girls have previous stage experience. They love to sing,” Dr Sheikh Anwar said.
“Big sister” Nusaiba Ameena took charge of the microphone as the three sisters sang the anthem beautifully, amid wild applause, with their proud parents watching from the second row seats.
Mayor Asfour, along with Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, Andrew Giles and Employment and Workplace Relations Minister, Tony Burke, absolutely loved the performance.
“It was a special moment to have the girls join me onstage on such an important day. Not only did the girls know all the words, they also knew how to handle a microphone!” Mayor Asfour said.
“It doesn’t matter how many times I see people take the pledge and call Canterbury Bankstown their ‘forever home,’ it never gets old. It’s always a joyful occasion. I’m looking forward to seeing all the great things our new Australians are going to do to enrich our community.”
It was a special day as the City of Canterbury Bankstown welcomed 250 new citizens, from countries including Sierra Leone, India, Vietnam, Bangladesh, China and the UK. And everyone has a unique story to tell.
Dr Sheikh Anwar’s journey from Bangladesh to Australia began eight years ago when he arrived here with his wife Minhajun Nessa.
“When I was working as an academic in Bangladesh, I realised I wanted to research in the field of medicine, focusing on cancer. So, I came to Australia as a PHD student. Once I became a registered pharmacist, I wanted to stay in Australia. My wife loved Australia very much and she wanted to continue living here. So, we made the decision to stay here and our three girls are all born here,” he said.
“What do we love about Australia? One of the best things about living here is that we all feel safe. I don’t have to worry about my loved ones, the way I’d worry about family in Bangladesh. I know my wife is safe when she is working, and I know my children are safe at their school. My three daughters were born in Australia and we feel very lucky to be here.”