Citizenship ceremonies held across the Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council area on Tuesday saw two residents officially take up Australian citizenship.
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Cootamundra resident Cho Thae Win Cohen was accompanied by her delightful family, including husband Danny and children Ester, Benjamin and Daniel.
The ceremony took place in the CGRC meeting room at Cootamundra where Mrs Cohen took the pledge and was presented with her citizenship certificate.
This has been a dream since I was 15 years of age. I have been in Australia for a long time, but now I feel like I belong.
- Anne Bayford
Mrs Cohen was also presented with an Australian native plant by Cootamundra-Gundagai mayor Abb McAlister.
Born in Burma, Mrs Cohen met her husband Danny in Cambodia when they were both teaching.
In 2009, Win and Danny relocated to Canberra but after just six months in the nation’s capital, they made the move to Cootamundra,
All three of their children have been born in Cootamundra.
Mrs Cohen said she was thrilled to become an Australian citizen and now had a real sense of belonging.
“I’m so excited, and I now have the opportunity to vote. I’ve never been able to vote before,” Mrs Cohen said.
Councillors Dennis Palmer, Craig “Stewie” Stewart, Leigh Bowden, Gil Kelly Nicholson and CGRC general manager Allen Dwyer also congratulated Mrs Cohen on her citizenship status.
Also on Tuesday, Tumblong resident Anne Bayford, took the pledge and was presented with her citizenship certificate and a native plant by Councillor McAlister at a ceremony held at the Gundagai council offices.
Ms Bayford came to Australia in 2008 after spending five years in Zurich, Switzerland.
Born in the United Kingdom, she made her home in Tumblong after spending a few years travelling and living around the country.
Ms Bayford said she was feeling very humbled and proud after the ceremony.
“This has been a dream since I was 15 years of age,” she said.
“I have been in Australia for a long time, but now I feel like I belong.”
Councillors Stewart, Bowden and Nicholson, as well as Mr Dwyer, also attended the ceremony at Gundagai and congratulated Ms Bayford on her citizenship.
