I feel so happy, I do not have words to explain my happiness.
- Arun Babu
TAMWORTH confirmed its place as a multicultural haven in regional NSW and Australia with a historic ceremony this week.
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The city welcomed 61 new citizens from 14 countries at the town hall on Thursday
It was a very emotional day for many receiving the citizenship they have been working towards for up to seven years.
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But it was a truly historic occasion as well, with the council confirming it was the biggest-ever citizenship ceremony in the city's history.
More migrants than ever are gaining citizenship in Tamworth and laying down roots in the community.
The next largest citizenship ceremony in terms of numbers was the previous event in September when 30 people were sworn in.
There was 175 people who received citizenship in Tamworth this year, up from 106 in 2018.
While the numbers are growing, the sentiment for people receiving Australian citizenship hasn't dilated at all.
Arun Babu moved to Armidale, originally, from India close to seven years ago.
As he stood in the vast crowd in Tamworth, his new home, he had one thought.
"As I was taking pledge I was thinking, 'I need to do something for this community'," he told the Leader.
Mr Babu is a clinical nurse specialist at the Tamworth hospital but he believed he had more to give on what was a very significant day in his life.
"I feel so proud and privileged being a citizen of Australia," he said.
"I feel so happy, I do not have words to explain my happiness.
"I feel so proud to be part of a community."