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PROUD DAY: The Mata family Jeanzel, Maria Odessa, Ayesha Faith and Marlou with Mayor Clare McLaughlin.
Whyalla’s Marlou Mata and his two daughters officially became Australians this month after taking their vows with Mayor Clare McLaughlin.
Originally from the Philippines, Marlou had always dreamed of living and working in Australia. He worked on a cruise ship based out of the United States for six years as a mechanical technician and sanitation engineer after being promoted. Upon discovering a job opportunity to work in Whyalla for CSL Australia, Marlou was successful with his application and began the transition to Australia in 2012.
After settling in to life in Whyalla, occasionally flying back to see his family, Marlou fulfilled his Aussie dream when his wife Jeanzel and daughters Maria Odessa and Ayesha Faith joined him in Whyalla three years later.
Marlou said moving to Australia gave his daughters the best chance in life. “Australia has been nothing but kind to us and the wealth of opportunity here for my family is one of the many reasons we chose to move and start a life here in Whyalla,” Marlou said.
Marlou Mata with his citizenship certificate.
“At the moment they both want to be doctors, but they are still very young and have the opportunity to do whatever they like when they grow up, becoming Australian citizens was naturally the next step for the bright future I dreamt of for my family.
“I love living in Whyalla, the people are very friendly and working so close to home allows me to see my family more often then I could before.”