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PROUD DAY: Melinda Hullah accepted her citizenship certificate with family members, from left, David Hullah, Joan Hullah, Robert Hullah, Frank Rosslee, Nedine van den Berg, Maggie Rosslee and Council CEO Chris Cowley.
New Aussie Melinda Hullah has a story that epitomises the spirit of her citizenship honour and the wonderful multi-cultural vibe of Whyalla.
Melinda was accompanied by her immediate and extended family as she accepted her Australian citizenship from City of Whyalla CEO Chris Cowley in the Council chambers recently. South African-born Melinda was joined by her parents and sister, her husband Robert and his English parents.
The joy emanating from the family members as they came together to celebrate Melinda’s big day was a wonderful reflection of what the citizenship means to them and our city.
WHYALLA NEWLYWEDS: Melinda and Robert Hullah
Melinda and Robert were married in April this year, after meeting in Whyalla, and are loving life in their new home.
“We do love it here, we’ve bought a house and really appreciate the sense of community in Whyalla,” Melinda said.
“I like living in a coastal town, we enjoy going camping and Whyalla is about the same size as the town I come from in South Africa.”
That town was Lydenburg in the province of Mpumalanga which is about three hours northwest of Johannesburg. Melinda grew up on the family’s hobby farm, which she described as not unlike the Adelaide Hills, before making the move to Whyalla at age 23.
“It’s nice to have both our families around us and we like to keep some of our culture alive but we’re Aussies now and love it,” Melinda said.
Melinda is working as a nanny while Robert is an instrument technician with Liberty OneSteel.
IT'S OFFICIAL: Melinda Hullah accepts her citizenship from Council CEO Chris Cowley.