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PROUD DAY: Israel Murgas shows off his citizenship with wife Maria, son Simon and Mayor Clare McLaughlin.
Like many new arrivals to Australia, Israel Murgas didn’t even know where Whyalla was when offered the chance to move here for work.
That was more than 30 years ago and now Israel wouldn’t want to live anywhere else as he accepted his Australian citizenship from Whyalla Mayor Clare McLaughlin this week.
Living in Sydney for five years, after arriving from Chile with wife Maria and young children Claudio and Aurora in 1983, Israel was offered a job as a metallurgist with BHP in Whyalla after spending the first five years of his time in Australia lecturing and gaining a Masters in Science degree.
“I thought this is good, I’ll stay here (Whyalla) for a few years,” Israel said.
“That was back on June 11, 1988 and we’ve been here ever since.”
NEW OFFICIAL AUSSIE: Israel Murgas accepts his citizenship from Mayor Clare McLaughlin.
Their time in Australia and Whyalla has been good for the couple as they had another addition to the family, son Simon, before their journey entered another new chapter with Israel retiring in 2016.
That didn’t last long though as he’s now been lured back into the steel industry with a position on the GFG Alliance transformation project.
Life has certainly been different for Israel after living in the busy Chilean city of Santiago before moving to Australia. Israel was born in the small city of Los Andes before moving to the Chilean capital where he met Maria.
“I don’t like big cities so Whyalla has been good … I get to ride to work,” Israel said.
“I thought after all this time I should get my citizenship and just said one day, ‘ok I’ll do it tomorrow’.”