Logan Hospital’s Rehab team shared a special moment this month, helping patient Marangai (Mara) Paul become an Australian citizen.
After an unexpected hospital admission prevented Mara from attending a ceremony in the community, the team worked with her family to organise a private ceremony on the ward.
Mara, who has lived in Australia for nearly 20 years, was officially welcomed as an Australian citizen surrounded by family, friends and the Rehab team supporting her recovery.
Mara said she felt extremely privileged to have her own ceremony at the hospital and to become an Australian citizen.
“We moved to Australia in 2007 after visiting for a short holiday,” she said. "While we were here John received a job offer, so we prayed over the opportunity and decided moving here was the right choice.
"Two weeks later we had moved, and after some time we were able to bring all seven of our children to Australia as well.”
Mara and John are now surrounded by their large and growing family of seven children, nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
The ceremony ended on a joyful note as Mara’s husband John led the group in a moving Māori hymn.
Clinical Nurse Consultant Alex Cannon said the celebration was a beautiful example of culturally safe care in action.
“It was wonderful to be able to facilitate this alongside the family who have been by Mara’s side every step of her journey,” she said.
“We are so proud of how hard Mara has worked to be well enough to attend the ceremony today.”