Andrew McGarry | September 16, 2006
BASHIR Mohammadian wasn't sure of the date of the Melbourne Cup - but at least he remembered his teacher telling him about the race that stops his new nation.Bashir was one of 35 people who became Australian citizens at a ceremony in Adelaide's Botanic Gardens yesterday. They took their vows joyfully, dedicating themselves to life in Australia among its people, pledging to share the nation's democratic beliefs, respect its rights and liberties, and uphold and obey the laws.
And while Australian history was still a bit of a mystery to many, they signalled they had begun educating themselves about their new home.
Bashir and his family left Afghanistan to escape the Taliban regime in 2001, and arrived in Australia in 2004 via Malaysia and Indonesia.
His mother, Rahima Azadah, did not speak English, so it was up to Bashir to explain his understanding of the Melbourne Cup, obtained from his teacher.
"He told me everyone gets dressed up in big hats and fancy clothes, and some people gamble," he laughed.
In Afghanistan, the nearest thing to the sport of kings was bozkachi, a game involving teams on horseback trying to scoop up a goat on the run and avoid being tackled by their opponents.
Bashir had learned some details of Australian history, including the presence of Aboriginal people in the land before white settlement, but acknowledged he still had a lot to find out about his new nation and its origins.
"I want to learn more about this country, and I want to speak English a bit better than I do now," he said.
Indergit Singh and his family also came to Australia seeking a new and peaceful life.
The family - Indergit, his wife Kuldip and children Iqbal, Jagjit and Manmohan - originally came from the Punjab region of India, but spent 17 years in Kenya before heading to Australia in 2004.
"We are looking for a brighter future for our kids, we are looking for a peaceful country," he said.
Asked what he knew of Australian history, Mr Singh said: "Not much - we just started here. Even the kids know more than me, because they are in school.
"Since we came to a new country, I have been basing myself in work, to build a foundation for my family.
"But when we settle in a bit more, I would like to learn more about Australia and its history."