By Margaret Maccoll
Noosa Shire was culturally enriched on Australia Day when a plethora of foreign-born nationals chose to call Australia home.
Mayor Clare Stewart presided over a citizenship ceremony at The J Theatre to welcome 45 new Australians from 22 different countries.
All had their reasons for becoming Australian citizens but it was family, lifestyle, opportunity and a safe haven that sealed their decision.
After living in Australia for 24 years Kirsten Rune from Denmark decided Australia would become her forever home and she took the step her daughter Karina and granddaughter Maya had previously to become a citizen.
“I just felt I am an Australian,“ she said.
Ismail Hamou Tahra from Morocco met his Australian partner Ellen Nesbitt in Canada eight years ago. He followed her back to Australia seven years ago and on Tuesday completed the long journey for Ismail to citizenship.
After their youngest granddaughter Lily, 3, was born in Australia Russell and Jackie Bellinger who moved here from the UK 10 years before decided the time had come to gain citizenship. And it would be nice to have a vote, they said.
“I’d always wanted to come to Australia,“ Russell said. “I went to a trades expo in London. They said you’ll be fine.“ Russell and Jackie visited twice, then decided it was for them and their family have followed in their footsteps.
“We don’t refer to the UK as home,“ Jackie said.
“The lifestyle is different. It’s more relaxed, more family orientated and warmer. None of us like the cold. At the moment it’s the country that’s COVID free.“
Californian John West and his Australian-born wife Dani lived in California for four years before deciding to make the move to Australia.
It’s a better way of life, better balance and Noosa is just paradise. There are few places in the world as good as Noosa,“ John said.
Tuyet Nhi Nguyen left Vietnam eight years ago for Australia and loves the way our system is structured.
“Vietnam is not as wonderful. I feel quite safe here. I feel there is more opportunity in Australia,“ she said.
