Tirana all smiles following citizenship ceremony

NEW Australian citizen Tirana Kalali could be providing oral examinations for FNQ residents in the near future.

Ms Kalali was a dentist in her home country of Iran and is now only months away from securing the same qualifications in Australia.

“It has been a long and costly journey here in Australia to have my international qualifications accepted and become a qualified dentist in Australia,” Ms Kalali said.

“I have my final practical exam in September, once qualified I am committed to becoming a valued member of the dental profession in the Douglas Shire.”

The 41-year-old is unapologetically career minded, but when you drill down into her life, it is clear the Iranian-born student is just happy to call Australia home.

“I’m so glad I chose Port Douglas back in 2017 and I am so happy living there; it’s like I’m always on holiday,” she said.

“I consider all my friends there as my family and I’m sincerely grateful for everything they have done for me.

“I think a smaller city or town makes it easier for the immigrants at the beginning because it’s really a small community and you can know everyone in your street.”

The “holiday” lifestyle she experiences in the Douglas Shire is a far cry from the life she had in her home country.

“Most people have heard about all the protests and all the things that are happening to especially women in Iran,” Ms Kalali said

“There’s no freedom on where you go, what you wear and women are like property for men. You cannot do whatever you want to do there, people live in a different and difficult situation there.

“The situation in my home country of Iran upsets me so much, not only the suffering of young women, but young men too.

“Fortunately I come from a wonderful and well educated family in Iran, my siblings are doctors, an engineer and my father was a lawyer, my mother supported everyone in the family to reach their goals, they value education.”

Ms Kalali was one of 20 Douglas Shire residents to receive a citizenship certificate from Mayor Michael Kerr at a ceremony in Mossman late last month.

Douglas Shire Mayor Cr Kerr said he was pleased to welcome so many new citizens to the Douglas Shire. “These people have chosen to become an Australian citizen because they seek the special qualities of peace, prosperity and harmony which characterise the Australian lifestyle,” he said.