Becoming dinky di

Mayor David Hamilton with new Australian citizens Chee Liang and Linda Hardman

MANY say Australia is the lucky country. At a ceremony held in Oak Flats this week more than 30 people took the step of becoming Australian citizens.

Part of National Citizenship Day celebrations, the public ceremony was attended by Shellharbour Mayor David Hamilton, Shellharbour Council General Manager Brian Weir, Member for Illawarra Marianne Saliba and of course the family and friends of our newest citizens.

Cr Hamilton said being able to offer citizenship was one of the most pleasing aspects of his job.

I congratulate all of those involved and wish them well as they embrace their new rights and responsibilities as Australian citizens, he said.

Marianne Saliba said she became an Australian citizen just before her 16th birthday when her parents became citizens. She congratulated each person on his or her new Australian citizenship.

Residents from 10 different nationalities made the pledge in Mondays ceremony.

Linda Hardman was among those to become Australian citizens.

She said she felt it was time to take the step.

Chee Liang has been in Australia for five years.

The former Singapore resident said he appreciated everything about the Australian country and its culture.

Mr Liang works as a registered nurse.

It is a much freer country. There is more opportunities in work to advance or take on further education, he said.

I think Australia really is the lucky country, he added.