By Natalie Gallenti
But settle they did, with their twins Danai and Alex, in Keilor Downs. And tomorrow the Dell’erba clan will become true blue Aussies at Brimbank Council’s Australian Citizenship ceremony.
Arriving in Australia only six years ago the family can’t wait to finally become citizens of the country they have come to love.
Mr Dell’erba, originally from Italy, said when he came here as a tourist, he fell in love with Australia’s expansive terrain and welcoming feeling. It was then that he decided his family would leave their life behind and begin a new one down under.
The head chef at one of Melbourne’s finest Italian restaurants, Mr Dell’erba said unlike migrants of 40 years ago, he and his family came here by choice.
“Before people came out here because of necessity. For our generation it is a choice. We want to come here,” he said.
“There is so much space here and it is very laid back.”
His wife agreed and said it was the right to vote that she was most excited about.
“Being Greek that is very important to me.”
Not only was the family amazed at the large houses, wonderful landscape and truly unique environment that Australia boasts, but also the great sense of community spirit and in particular the nation’s great love of sport.
“We have become very sports orientated now. I can actually go out for walks,” Despina laughed.
And both Danai and Alex can’t wait to become fully fledged Aussies. Arriving as six year olds, the Keilor Downs Secondary College students, said the language barrier was the hardest thing to deal with, but now they can add English to Italian, Greek and German.
