There were smiles all round and some tears of joy when close to 450 residents were welcomed as new Australian citizens in the latest day of Blacktown City virtual citizenship ceremonies.
The special online ceremonies saw 447 new citizens take the final step in their citizenship journey after coming to Australia from countries as diverse as Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Myanmar and Tokelau.
Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM said he was delighted to witness citizens from 33 countries take the pledge at the weekend's ceremonies.
Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM and Deputy Mayor Julie Griffiths at Council's virtual citizenship ceremonies.
"With all the difficult news we are facing at this time, it was a great pleasure to share in some good news and welcome these wonderful families and individuals to Blacktown City," Mayor Bleasdale said.
"They all join us with unique stories and experiences and that is what makes our city the wonderfully diverse and unique place that it is.
"Now more than ever, it is important for us to continue to celebrate our newest citizens - and this is something Blacktown City Council is committed to doing through its COVID-safe virtual ceremonies."
The Ponds couple Chukwuma and Chioma moved from Nigeria with their children Ogomachukwu and Zikachimra in 2015. The move to Australia was the realisation of a childhood dream for Chioma, who had first learnt about the land Down Under as a child.
"I've had an obsession with Australia since I was a kid when my father bought me an encyclopaedia," Chioma said.
"I always said I would like to go there one day and see the Opera House. It was time for me to revisit that dream when we were researching where to move to."
Chioma and Chukwuma with children Ogomachukwu and Zikachimra celebrate after becoming new Australian citizens.
Chioma said becoming citizens was "humbling" for her family after embarking on the brave journey to move across the world and adjust to their new life.
The occasion was equally significant for the Siddiqui-Butt family after their move to Australia from Saudi Arabia in 2017.
Rizwan Siddiqui said gaining Australian citizenship was especially significant for his family after coming from a country where citizenship was not easy to come by.
"I thought if we stayed in Saudi Arabia, we would never be citizens there, so I wanted to move to a country where our children can become citizens," Mr Siddiqui said.
Plumpton's Rizwan Siddiqui and Basrah Butt with children Shehryar, Fatima and Ayaan Siddiqui.
"It was a great day for us when we received our citizenship. We were calling our family in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to celebrate. My children are very happy we moved here and my wife has new freedoms."
