Muswellbrook Shire Council has proudly welcomed 14 new Australian citizens at a citizenship ceremony held this morning at the Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre.
The ceremony saw 12 adults and two children officially become Australian citizens, marking an important milestone in their lives and a meaningful moment for the local community.
The new citizens come from a diverse range of countries including Brazil, New Zealand, Canada, Netherlands, South Africa and Thailand, reflecting the rich cultural diversity that continues to shape and strengthen the Muswellbrook Shire.
Muswellbrook Shire Council Mayor, Jeff Drayton, said citizenship ceremonies are a special occasion for both individuals involved and the broader community.
“Becoming an Australian citizen is a significant and proud moment. It represents a commitment to our shared values, our community, and our future,” Mayor Drayton said.
“We are honoured to officially welcome our newest citizens to Muswellbrook. Our community is stronger because of the diversity, experiences and perspectives they bring.”
Among those welcomed was Yukio Yasui, who become an Australian citizen alongside his partner Patricia Rabelini Dos Santos and their six-year-old son, Ryan Hiro Yasui.
Originally from Brazil, Yukio and Patricia moved to Australia in 2017, first settling in Sydney before relocating to Muswellbrook in 2023.
Yukio said becoming an Australian citizen was a deeply meaningful milestone for his family after nearly a decade of building their life in Australia.
“We’ve been waiting for this moment for a long nine years, and becoming Australian citizens is incredibly special for our family,” Mr Yasui said.
“Australia has given us stability, opportunities, and a place we are proud to call home. It means a lot to us to now officially belong and be part of the community we’ve built our lives in.”
Citizenship ceremonies are an important part of Australia’s civic life, providing an opportunity to formally recognise new citizens and celebrate the values of respect, inclusion and belonging.
Council extends its congratulations to all new citizens and wishes them success as they begin this new chapter as part of the Muswellbrook community.
