MEDIA RELEASE File: 07/03/0007 Date of Issue: 8 February 2019 Contact: Lara McPherson 02 6071 5100

A little bit of India now at home in God’s Own Country At a citizenship ceremony late last year Tallangatta’s Father Joseph Pothenparampil – better known as Father Joseph - became Towong Shire’s newest Australian Citizen. Father Joseph came from the southern state of India called Kerala - also known as ‘God’s own country’ because of its natural beauty. Now well known to the Towong Shire community, Father Joseph was born and raised among a different agricultural community a long way from North East Victoria. He was ordained a Catholic priest on 30 April, 1992 and was instrumental in building five churches in various parishes in Mumbai, India. Since his arrival in Australia in 2009, Father Joseph has been stationed throughout the Sandhurst Diocese in Bendigo, Inglewood and Shepparton. He arrived in Tallangatta on New Year’s Eve 2014 where he has responsibility for the churches at Corryong, Walwa, Mitta Mitta, Sandy Creek and Tallangatta. Though his mother and two siblings still reside in India, Father Joseph says North East Victoria is beginning to feel like home. “During my time here I have taken a real liking to life in this beautiful area and am enjoying the support and goodwill of the parishioners and the wider community, he said. “The beauty of this part of the North East reminds me of my home in India.” Image: Father Joseph is congratulated by Mayor David Wortmann -ends-