Image Caption: Benny Chun with his wife Neyra Nie.
Australian Citizenship Day is a celebration of belonging, community and the many cultures that enrich Australia.
At a special ceremony hosted by The Hills Shire Council, new citizens from 14 countries, including Malaysia, India, Malta, New Zealand and the UK proudly pledged their commitment to Australia and joined the growing community of Australians who call The Hills home.
We spoke with two of these new citizens about their citizenship journey and what becoming an Australian citizen means to them.
Benny Chun, originally from New Zealand:
Q: What does becoming an Australian citizen mean to you?
A: Becoming an Australian citizen means feeling more connected to the wider community and having a greater sense of belonging. It's about being able to participate more fully in community life, having the opportunity to vote, make your voice heard and contribute to the future of the country and community you call home.
Q: Why did you want to become an Australian citizen?
A: I've lived in Australia for about five and a half years and becoming a citizen felt like the natural next step. As a New Zealander, I've always felt a strong connection to Australia, but citizenship gives me a deeper sense of belonging. It means officially becoming part of the community, having a say through voting and embracing the opportunities and responsibilities that come with being an Australian citizen.
Q: How do you plan on celebrating this milestone?
A: I've got a barbecue planned with some mates this weekend. While I don't have family living here, I have plenty of good friends who have become like family. I'm looking forward to celebrating together with a classic backyard BBQ. The weather is forecast to be warm, and while I'm still getting used to the Australian heat, I'm certainly enjoying it!
Q: What do you love most about The Hills?
A: I love the balance The Hills offers. It's peaceful and surrounded by nature, while still providing all the amenities and activity you need. The people are friendly and welcoming, and there's a real sense of community. I particularly enjoy visiting the Showground markets on weekends, which are a great example of the strong community spirit that makes The Hills such a special place to live.
Anees Basra originally from India:
Q: What does becoming an Australian citizen mean to you and your family?
A: Becoming an Australian citizen is a very proud moment for our family. Although I was raised in India, my career gave us the opportunity to live in several countries across Asia for more than 15 years. When it came time to choose where we wanted to settle and support our daughters through their higher school education, Australia felt like the right fit. It was a decision we made together as a family, and our daughters had always had a particular soft spot for Australia.
Q: Why did you want to become an Australian citizen?
A: We came to Australia three years ago with very positive expectations, but since arriving we've discovered even more reasons to love living here. We've experienced a welcoming community, a strong sense of freedom and a culture where people genuinely support one another. While some of these qualities were what first attracted us to Australia, others have been a happy realisation since making the move.
Q: How do you plan on celebrating this milestone?
A: We'll be postponing a larger celebration until after my daughter's HSC exams. In the meantime, we're looking forward to spending some quality family time together and enjoying a picnic with our dog. It's a special milestone that we'll cherish for years to come.
Q: What do you love most about The Hills?
A: I love the open space and greenery. After living in large metropolitan cities, including Singapore, I've really come to appreciate the peaceful suburban lifestyle in The Hills. We live near Bidjigal Reserve and enjoy walking through the bushland. The natural environment gives me a real sense of peace and contentment and is one of the reasons we enjoy living here so much.
Image Caption: Anees Basra at his Citizenship Ceremony
