The Clarence Valley has welcomed nine new Australians at a citizenship ceremony held at the Grafton Council Chambers on Tuesday, January 24, just in time for Australia Day. The new citizens are: Ms Pragya Budhaulia, Mr Allan Body, Mr Thomas Davidson, Mrs Gresilda Elliott, Mrs Jenaly McGuren, Mrs Wing Chi Ng, Ms Natasja Oliver and two citizens who didn’t wish to be publically named. Pragya Budhaulia has lived in Grafton for the last year and a half and works as a general practitioner, said that she came to Australia from India seven years ago. “It feels good [to become an Australian citizen] and I love this area,” she said. Gresilda Elliott who moved to Australia five years ago from the Philippines, said that she was thrilled to now be able to vote. Natasja Oliver from South Africa, has been in Australia almost five years. “It’s a privilege [to become an Australian citizen],” said Ms Oliver. “People seem to be very family oriented, in the Clarence Valley.”