Muswellbrook Shire has welcomed Australia’s 12 newest citizens in a warm, heartfelt ceremony before family and friends, as each took the leap from local to official Aussie.

The Citizenship Ceremony, in the courtyard of the Donald Horne Building, marked a life milestone for each new Australian who already called Muswellbrook home, and whose countries of origin included Vietnam, Bangladesh, New Zealand, India and Czechia.

All who took the Australian Citizenship Pledge affirmed their commitment to the nation and their bond with the Muswellbrook Shire community.

For Kvetuse Becvarova, who became a citizen with her husband Jan Becvar and their daughters Amy, 13, and Mia Rose, 6, it marked the end of a journey from Czechia to Muswellbrook, via Dubai and Britain.

“We’ve been living in Australia for five years now. We decided to look at a bit of land in Muswellbrook and we fell in love, and we moved here last year,” Mrs Becvarova said.

“We love our gardening, there’s room for the girls and we have a couple of animals. We have chickens, five ducks and a German shepherd puppy. The schools are good. And I think becoming citizens will help us to feel completely settled.”

Kvetuse and Jan met in their native Czechia – they still prefer “Czech Republic” – where both grew up in Pilsen, birthplace of the beer.

Amy is also Czech-born while Mia Rose arrived during the family’s stint in the UK, tied to Jan’s work as a civil engineer.

For Kvetuse, the main adjustment from a land of castles and revolutions to one of hi-viz and rolling hills has been at mealtimes.

“The one change we really notice is the main meal being dinner,” Mrs Becvarova said.

“In Europe you have a bigger lunch, dinner is usually something small. Here it’s a big dinner for everyone and that takes some getting used to.”

Muswellbrook Mayor Jeff Drayton said Citizenship Ceremonies are among the most meaningful duties of his office.

“Each of these new Australians has chosen to start this chapter of their lives in Muswellbrook Shire. That’s as genuine a commitment to our community as anyone can make,” Mayor Drayton said.

“Our community is made stronger when people choose to build their future here in Muswellbrook. Everyone here brings unique skills and qualities and we congratulate them on becoming Australian citizens.”

Citizenship ceremonies offer new residents the chance to formally join the Australian community while celebrating their heritage and contributions.