Some were backpackers who met their partners here and stayed while others planned their moves from their native countries, but whatever the reason, 77 local residents from 22 different countries now call themselves Australian following a citizenship ceremony on Australia Day.
Rocio Giunta came to Australia from Argentina on a 12-month working holiday, met Rory Fairweather, and stayed.
Gina from Manchester met her Australian husband in Fiji on holidays. After moving first to England, the couple decided Australia would be their home.
Carol Ross first came to Australia from England 35 years ago.
It’s been quite a journey for Carol who was diagnosed with leukaemia 25 years ago and at the time given only weeks to live.
Since then Carol has not only survived but thrived, meeting and marrying Ian Ross who convinced her when Covid happened that Australia was “the safest country to live“ and she’d better stay put, so taking his advice she became an official citizen.
The process to obtaining citizenship was a long and involved one for all new citizens with most saying it had taken five to seven years to complete.
For Jen and Ed Crawford, the long visa application process began in their native South Africa. With ancestry in Australia and similarities in climate and culture, the couple made the move and completed their citizenship aim last week.
For Dina from Russia, it had been a seven year process during which time she has married husband Dave, the couple now having two children, but it was worth the wait for Dina who described Australia as “the best country in the world“.
The ceremony held at The J Theatre provided guests with a slice of Australia with some bush poetry presented by MC Ian Mackay, some Aussie songs from Jazz Strings, the formal proceedings conducted by presiding officer Mayor Clare Stewart and ending with a morning tea and lamingtons.
