Gunnedah welcomed five new citizens on Australia Day in the sweltering sun.
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Lisa Bates, of Germany, Bruce Cockburn and Euan Smith, of Scotland, Christiaan Harmse, of South Africa, and Valerie Phillips, of the United Kingdom, all pledged their loyalty to Australia on Sunday morning.
The ceremony was held under the eucalyptus trees of ANZAC Park near the Dorothea Mackellar Statue, and saw family and friends support their loved ones as they became new citizens. Each new citizen was also gifted a native tree as part of the festivities.
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It was welcomed by deputy mayor Rob Hooke, and led by Gunnedah shire mayor Jamie Chaffey, who had each of the new citizens repeat the pledge back to him.
Cr Chaffey also "broke tradition" and invited the 2020 Citizen of the Year Dominic Goodwin-Hauck to speak.
Gunnedah Shire Band performed Advance Australia Fair at the end of the ceremony.
Find out more about Gunnedah's newest citizens below:
- Mrs Lisa Bates: Lisa is originally from Germany and came to Australia in 2009 as a backpacker. While visiting, Lisa met her husband Warwick and married him. Together they moved to Gunnedah in 2015 after purchasing their farm in Curlewis because of their love of cattle. Lisa currently works on the farm as well as raising 2 their children, Marnie and Mila.
- Mr Bruce James Cockburn: Bruce arrived in Australia in October 2012 through a sponsored offer of employment in Warren. After living there for around 6.5 years, Bruce and his partner moved to Gunnedah. Bruce is currently working at Peel Valley Machinery as a Service Technician. The rest of his family are in Scotland and love coming to Australia on holiday.
- Mr Christiaan Wynand Harmse: 21 years ago on January 23, 1999, Christiaan arrived in Australia with his parents and sisters. He was born in South Africa. Christiaan's parents made the decision to move to Australia to give their family a better life. Growing up in Australia has been a wonderful thing and Christiaan is very thankful that his parents made the decision to give up a lot to move here.
- Mr Ronald Euan Smith: Euan first arrived in Australia in 2011 with a friend as a backpacker. He loves to travel and meeting new people. Euan was a member of the Gunnedah Rugby Union Club where he played for several years. Euan is currently working for Whitehaven Coal as a mechanic at Tarrawonga mine. All of Euan's family live in Scotland but he is still able to see them regularly.
- Ms Valerie Elaine Phillips: Valerie came to Australia six years ago to take up the manager/instructor role at Lake Keepit Soaring Club. Gliding is a passion of hers and she enjoys passing on her knowledge and skills to others. Valerie wanted to visit Australia as it is an excellent place for gliding. Having had flown in Australia before, she came to love the country and its wildlife. Valerie's mother and two sisters still live in the UK and attending the ceremony today with her partner.