It’s difficult to argue against, really, with our postcard-perfect beaches, rolling plains and penchant for big things, matched only by our laid-back culture and hankering for a good time with those closest to us. 

Every year, thousands of people migrate to Australia in search of an improved quality of life, employment or economic stability. 

Some dedicate years to chasing down the dream of becoming a citizen of the lucky country.

But the reality is, they aren’t the only lucky ones who can call the place home. 

The country is lucky that we are in a position to welcome new citizens from an array of cultures and countries. 

Those of us who have known only of Australia our entire lives are just as lucky as those who have come in search of a better life, for we are exposed to a myriad of cultures and countries, that haven’t always been afforded to a country so far geographically removed from the rest of the world.

Australia is fast becoming an increasingly multicultural and multi-faith country.

Citizenship ceremonies are a growing event on the calendar of regional communities and their metropolitan counterparts – and for good reason. 

Tamworth held one of the largest citizenship ceremonies the region has ever seen yesterday, with 37 people from 10 countries taking the pledge to officially become Australians.

So fast is the rate of new citizen uptake, that Tamworth Regional Council now holds a citizenship ceremony every two months. 

Already this year, the city has welcomed 65 new faces. 

We must continue to welcome with open arms our new citizens, who help shape the face of our nation. 

It comes as travellers around the nation voted Tamworth among the best regional holiday destinations in the country in a readers’ choice award. The city was a finalist in the Out and About With Kids magazine competition, which follows honours for the Tamworth Country Music Festival in the recent state tourism awards. 

Tamworth is a vibrant regional city and one that has come to pride itself on welcoming new faces. 

The growing number of new citizens to Tamworth speaks volumes of the city’s warm heart. We must never forget how lucky we are, to call this place home.