Hani Baghdan was one of nine new Australian citizens who emerged smiling from Lismore City Hall yesterday.

Hani had two of his closest friends with him at the Australia Day citizenship ceremony to celebrate his big day of becoming an official Australian citizen.

Hani used to live in Dubai before coming to Australia. As a gay man, he said the lack of freedom and rights for people in Dubai who identify as other than heterosexual, was something he was glad to get away from.

“It’s very difficult for gay people in Dubai,” Hani said. “I was never able to come out .

“But here, there is a beautiful diverse community and I feel so welcomed and love the culture in Lismore.”

Hani came to Sydney six years ago and moved to Lismore last year. He’s already involved in the local queer community and with the radical fairies.

“When I visited Australia for a friend’s wedding the first time, I had a feeling I wanted to live here – it was so easy and welcoming,” he said.

“I wanted to become an Australian citizen for a combination of legal reasons and to live in a better country, with a more open culture."

The other people who became citizens yesterday were: David Effer, Richard Laing, Rachel Nolde, Simona-Georgeta Pacleanu, Christine Scott, Olivia Stevens, Dr Iman Izadgooshasb and Niloofar Karimian (husband and wife).

Mayor’s last officiation

Lismore’s mayor Isaac Smith has long said that officiating at citizenship ceremonies was one of his favourite things to do as mayor over the 12 years he has been on council.

Since he announced his resignation from the role of mayor late last year, Isaac knows his final days as mayor are in the wings, and January 26, 2021 marked his last citizenship ceremony.

“Welcoming new people to Lismore is such a gift,” Mayor Smith said. “We have such a diverse community and every new citizen is someone who adds to that diversity,

“To me, that’s the biggest strength we have.”

Mayor Smith said not feeling sad yet, but knows that it could be coming as the end approaches.

“Council has been 12 years of my life,” he said. “Lismore is a wonderful community and I have great friends and family and I’m sure everyone will help me celebrate it. I will continue to plug into the community and do what I can – just not as mayor.”