FIVE members of the Mount Gambier community were granted Australian citizenship last week in a public ceremony.
Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin OAM presided over the ceremony where the candidates, surrounded by family and friends, pledged their loyalty and commitment to Australia through the citizenship pledge.
Soroptimist Mount Gambier continued the tradition of presenting candidates with a gift to welcome them as new Australian citizens and the ceremony finished with the singing of the Australian National Anthem performed by Chanceline Kakule and Amy Grouse.
New citizen Andrew Harvey arrived in Australia four and half years ago from the United Kingdom and has resided in Mount Gambier for the past 12 months.
Reflecting on the ceremony, Mr Harvey described the occasion as dignified and as solemn as it should be.
“Conferring citizenship on someone is the greatest gift a nation can offer and I feel very humbled to receive it,” Mr Harvey said.
“It was a huge honour to receive my citizenship, Australia has made me feel welcome and I always felt I should make a full commitment to this amazing country.
“I feel immensely proud to now call myself Australian and I look forward to spending the rest of my life here.”
Corne Ryan, originally from South Africa, is a local phlebotomist who has resided in Australia for the past 10 years.
Ms Ryan said being granted citizenship was an opportunity to have a voice and contribute in the country she now calls home.
“The ceremony was beautifully done, I was very emotional and proud at the same time,” she said.
“We are very lucky to live in Mount Gambier, a place full of love and opportunities.”
Other new citizens include Karen Dack originally from South Africa, Amir Hatami from Iran and Yi-chen “Sarah” Yang from Taiwan.
