- intouch Magazine
All smiles as 22 new citizens welcomed at Citizenship Ceremony in Lake Macquarie
Rathmines Theatre was beaming with smiling faces on Friday as 22 new citizens from nine countries were officially welcomed as part of a Citizenship Ceremony.
The ceremony saw participants who have come from nine different countries including New Zealand, China, India, UK, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Tonga, USA and Brazil become new Aussies.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Cr Kay Fraser said it was always a joy to welcome new citizens to Lake Macquarie.
“It is such a privilege for me to share this special day with our new Aussies. Rathmines Theatre was shining again with the bright smiles of our new citizens and it was great to see families and friends joining in the celebration,” Cr Fraser said.
“Welcoming people from all walks of life and all corners of the globe to Lake Macquarie enriches our community and makes us who we are today. We are proud of our diversity and of the welcoming nature of our City.”
Neko Li came to Australia from Hong Kong in 2013 on a working holiday visa, but decided to stay after falling in love with the people and the lifestyle.
“I have my Aussie family now,” she said shortly after taking the citizenship pledge.
“I want to stay here forever – it’s such a beautiful country, and I love the fact there is more democracy than where I come from in Hong Kong.”
Lake Macquarie has welcomed more than 95 new citizens so far in 2021 across three citizenship ceremonies.
