Gunnedah Shire has welcomed five new Australian citizens to the community.
Raymond Jezard-Clarke and the Gerrard family made their pledges to Australia in the Gunnedah Shire Council Chambers on Friday and were gifted with an official certificate, and a plush koala and an Australian native plant.
Mr Jezard-Clarke is originally from the United Kingdom but moved to Australia 15 years ago from New Zealand and has enjoyed calling Australia home ever since. He says Australia is the best place in the world - big and beautiful, with open spaces, stunning scenery, wonderful weather and friendly people.
The new citizen has spent several years developing skills in the Gunnedah Woodworkers Club making decorative firewood and he looks forward to continuing woodworking into the future.
Mr Jezard-Clarke's wife Pam, their daughter Natalie and their two grandchildren Sienna and Ollie, attended the ceremony to celebrate the milestone with him.
The Shire also welcomed the Gerrard family - Ebonee, Troy, Wynter and Madden - who moved to Australia from New Zealand seven years ago. Mr Gerrard had been working in Narrabri and liked the area, and Mrs Gerrard saw better schooling opportunities for Wynter and Madden, so they moved to Gunnedah in 2018.
Mrs Gerrard likes Gunnedah for its friendly community and strong sporting culture, while her husband enjoys the warm weather, small community, and economic opportunities. Wynter (16) and Madden (14) play touch football, and Mrs Gerrard plays netball in the local competitions.
Gunnedah Shire Mayor Colleen Fuller and Deputy Mayor Kate McGrath facilitated the official ceremony and were the first to congratulate the five individuals on their citizenship.
"It was my great pleasure to see Raymond, Troy, Ebonee, Wynter and Madden take this significant step and stand alongside us as Australian citizens," Mayor Fuller said.
"We are so glad they are counted among the many diverse people who make up our warm, friendly and vibrant community, and we look forward to continuing to live and work alongside them in this place they now call home."
Council will hold another Citizenship Ceremony on Australia Day in January, 2026.
Caption: Gunnedah Shire Deputy Mayor Kate McGrath (left) and Mayor Colleen Fuller (right) with new Australian citizens Madden, Troy, Wynter and Ebonee Gerard, and Raymond Jezard-Clarke.
