Lynne Mowbray On the eve of Australia Day, the Clarence Valley has welcomed its newest Australians, at a citizenship ceremony which was held at the Clarence Valley Council chambers in Grafton, last Thursday. Our four new citizens; Alice Hinde, Ritva Eggins, Onanong Kirby and Meina Rose took their Australian citizenship oath, during the small ceremony. Palmers Island resident Miena Rose has lived here for the last 25 years after moving to Australia from Germany. Ms Rose said that her family is still in Germany and she did not want to forego her German citizenship. “I’ve been able to keep my German citizenship and I now have dual citizenship,” said Ms Rose. “Australia is my home and now I actually feel like I belong; I feel like I have arrived,” she said. Grafton resident, Onanong Kirby said that she moved to Australia from Thailand five years ago. “I’m so happy and very excited to become an Australian citizen,” Ms Kirby said. “I love this country and my friends and the Aussie beaches. “I’m proud to become an Australian on the eve of Australia Day and will be celebrating by having a special lunch she said. Alice Hinde of Woombah moved to Australia five years ago from the UK and now has dual citizenship. Ms Hinde said that becoming an Australian on the eve of Australia Day, gave her an extra opportunity this year to celebrate. “We will be celebrating with a good old Aussie BBQ at Woody Head,” Ms Hinde said.  

Image Caption: The Clarence Valley’s newest Australians were sworn in at a Citizenship ceremony, which was held at the Clarence Valley Council Chambers in Grafton last Thursday. L-R Alice Hinde, Ritva Eggins, Onanong Kirby and Meina Rose with Clarence Valley Council deputy mayor Jason Kingsley. Image: Lynne Mowbray