Gunnedah Mayor Owen Hasler and Cr Hans Allgayer presided over the joy-filled citizenship ceremony at the West Rotary change-over dinner last Thursday night, where Welington was also inducted as the new president.
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In keeping with Brazil’s passion for bright colours, Cr Hasler wore the colourful ceremonial gown donated to the Gunnedah Shire by sister city Lane Cove.
Welington and Karoline Sardinha and their sons Lucas and Vitorio took their oath of allegiance in front of a large gathering of family and friends and Rotarians, before being presented with two potted Australian geraniums and copies of The Red Chief.
Welington said it was a tremendous honour to address the gathering not only as president-elect but also as an Australian citizen.
“I would like to thank all of you – Rotarians and partners, family and friends who have come tonight to share this moment with us,” he said.
“You have accepted and welcomed us into your community and into your own families and we will always be grateful for that.”
Welington Sardinha was born in the city of Apucarana and Karoline was born in Estancia Velha, both in the southern region of Brazil.
Welington said it was at a Rotary change-over dinner like this one that he and Karoline had their first official date.
“We graduated as leather technicians in 1998 and came to Australia in 1999 to complete our apprenticeship with Michell Leather in Adelaide.
“Michell Leather also owned the tannery in Gunnedah and Karoline and I spent one week working here as part of our apprenticeship program.
“In 2000, with the closure of the leather finishing plant in Adelaide, Michell Leather sent us to work in their plant in Waterford in the Republic of Ireland, where we stayed until 2004 when Michell closed its leather division.”
In 2009, they returned to Australia to work at a tannery in Aberdeen, owned by Australian company AI Topper Group.
“In May 2009, soon after our arrival in Australia, the AI Topper Group bought Gunnedah Leather Processors where we have been happily working since then,” he said.
“Karoline and I have had an amazing journey thus far and Rotary has always been present in it.”
The family received a standing ovation from the dinner guests and were delighted when family friend, Mick Kennedy, presented them with Australian flag caps and everyone sang Advance Australia Fair.
