General News
2 July, 2025
Horsham: New citizens' permanent home
A couple who moved to Australia for their studies and met while working during the COVID-19 pandemic have now become Aussies.
Avin James, Deni Dominic, and their three-year-old son, Noah James, received their Australian citizenship certificates from Horsham Rural City Council mayor Ian Ross during the recent citizenship ceremony on June 18.
"We are very excited to become Aussies, as all our struggles have paid off now," Avin said.
"We are very proud to be a part of the community."
Avin and Deni have been working at GWM Water in Horsham as a Graduate Project Engineer and a Graduate Dam Engineer, respectively, since 2023.
Avin came to Australia in 2018 to pursue his Master's degree in Engineering Management at Deakin University in Geelong, while Deni arrived in 2019 and graduated as a civil engineer from Swinburne University in Melbourne.
Originally from the same state in South India, they met each other in a warehouse in Melbourne during the COVID-19 pandemic, where Avin was a team leader.
"We worked at the same place, and that's where we met," Avin said.
"I was the warehouse team leader."
They married in February 2021 and welcomed their first child, 'Noah', late that year.
After securing their permanent residency in April 2023, they relocated to Horsham in December of that year and started their full-time work.
"It's less crowded here, the people are nice and there's not much traffic," Avin said.
"I've lived in Geelong and Melbourne, but Horsham feels more relaxed.
"Now I play different indoor and outdoor sports with my wife _ something I never had time for in Melbourne."
They bought their first house in Horsham in October 2024 and are calling the town their long-term base.
"We've lived here for a year and a half now and the community is very welcoming," Avin said.
"People greet each other wherever you go, especially during different occasions and festivals.
The couple also praised the town's lifestyle and beautiful surroundings.
"Our go-to place for a family picnic is Halls Gap," they said.
"Whenever some of our family friends visit us from Melbourne or Adelaide, we take them to Halls Gap for a day or two visit.
"People think Horsham is just a small regional town, but it has everything Coles, Kmart, Target, Bunnings and different restaurants.
"It's more like a big town, like Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo."
The couple's favourite cafe for brunch was Farmhouse, but since it burned down, they often visit Cafe Jas and Thai restaurants in the town.
The couple now plans to visit New Zealand and Europe once they obtain their Australian passports.
When asked about the message for newcomers, the Avin said, "If you want to feel at home, come to Horsham," he said.
"It's a great place to feel safe, relaxed and raise your kids."
The couple now plays badminton, tennis, and cricket regularly during the seasons and often takes their young boy to May Park and Horsham Botanical Garden.