Tamworth citizenship: 12 people from around the world took the citizenship oath in Tamworth

Elena Harris met her now husband Philip when she was a tour guide in her home country, Russia.

Both Mrs Harris and her son Evgenii became Australian citizens on Thursday, in a ceremony that welcomed numerous others from New Zealand, America, China, India and the Phillipines.

"When I first came here, even though I have a linguistics degree it was very hard to understand the local people," Mrs Harris said.

"I think I've picked up some slang, now I know that when someone says, 'That's your hubby?' I've stopped replying with, 'No he's not a hobby, this is serious.'"

It took eight years for Mrs Harris to earn her Australian citizenship, to her it was worth it to live in a society with values she takes pride in.

In her first week in Tamworth she was struck by a lack of distinct class systems, she said.

"People are not judgmental, people treat you as who you are not what you are," she said.

"It doesn't matter whether you are a top-ranking officer or a farmer, the personal relationship overtakes any materialism - I see it so bright here."

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The official ceremony was conducted by Tamworth Regional Council deputy-mayor Phil Betts, who led the oath.

"It's a privilege and a pleasure, it makes the community far richer," he said. "Tamworth has a lot to offer, we are a proactive and forward-thinking community.

"There were great sacrifices made to allow us to have this freedom - you can aspire to anything."

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