First Syrian family in WA celebrate Australia Day

Premier Colin Barnett says its great and looking forward to thousands more being settled in WA. The new arrival already has a job. Great news.

Australia Day: First Syrian family as part of additional refugee intake 'thrilled' to be here
By Rebecca Trigger
Updated about 2 hours ago
The Kujah family at an Australia Day event in Bayswater in Perth.
PHOTO: The Kujah family, father Bashar, mother Kawlah and children (l-r) Mohammad, 8, Maryam, 7, Ahmed, 3, and Abdullah, 2 months, are among the first Syrian refugees part of a special intake to be settled in Australia. (ABC News: Rebecca Trigger)
RELATED STORY: Perth welcomes Syrian family as additional refugees start arrivingRELATED STORY: Syrian refugees to start arriving in WA before ChristmasRELATED STORY: WA could welcome up to 1,200 Syrian refugees, Barnett says
MAP: Perth 6000
The youngest members of the Kujah family, the first Syrian family to be resettled in Australia as part of the Federal Government's additional 12,000 humanitarian intake, are already clear on how they want to celebrate Australia Day.
Ahmed, 3, clutches a balloon animal and gazes, entranced, at the performers and displays at a small community barbeque in suburban Perth, before plunging into the children's play area, all smiles.
The Kujahs want their adopted country to know just how grateful they are to be offered a chance at a better life, far from the war-torn city of Homs they have fled.
Father Bashar Kujah, through a translator, said the initial shock of arrival was gone.
"They are very happy, they found a great country, the people here are very nice as well, very welcoming," the translator said.
Mr Kujah is a butcher, and has reportedly been offered a job working at Harvey Beef by owner, Australian mining magnate Andrew Forrest.
He said he also hoped to bring other family members to Australia, who remain stranded in the Syrian conflict.
Khawlah Kujah, who has just given birth to their youngest child Mohammad two months ago, said she was thrilled he had the chance to be born an Australian citizen.
She said the family would now focus on learning English and getting a good education for their children.
A case worker for the family said they planned to seek Australian citizenship once eligible.
Resettlement process slow but 'gaining pace'
The family are among just over 20 refugees who have been brought to Australia under the Federal Government's additional 12,000 intake of refugees fleeing the destruction and devastation of the war which has raged across Syria and Iraq.
Thousands more will come, they will be welcome in Australia and they will become Australians.
WA Premier Colin Barnett
Federal Social Services Minister Christian Porter said the process had been slow, as rigorous security checks and sponsorships were required.
He said while he expected the process to gain pace over the next few months, it would take longer than 12 months.
WA Premier Colin Barnett said he looked forward to welcoming more refugees as they arrived.
"Thousands more will come, they will be welcome in Australia and they will become Australians," he said.
"One of the great things about our country, in the post-war periods, in the second war, over four-and-a-half million have come to Australia and now call Australia home.
"I hope they continue to come, and that we provide care, safety and these young children grow up to be great young Australians, keeping their heritage and their tradition, a part of our Australian community."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-...led-at-first-australia-day/7114922?section=wa