Home

New Australians proud to call Capel home

Callum HunterSouth Western Times
VideoEight new Australian citizens were welcomed last week.

Eight new Australians were welcomed to the Shire of Capel last week, with people from Zimbabwe, South Africa, Egypt and England receiving their certificates of citizenship.

David James, Conner Hensberg, Kevin, Suzette, Andrew and Hayley Smith, Mai Mohamed and Graham Nelson were welcomed by Capel shire chief executive officer Ian McCabe, president Murray Scott and Cr Jennifer Scott at a small ceremony on January 24.

Cr Jennifer Scott said it was a great honour to welcome new citizens to the shire and described the event as one of the most humbling experiences of her time as a councillor.

“It’s heart warming to see,” she said.

“To see how proud and how honoured they are to become citizens is just wonderful.”

The event came in the lead up to Australia Day, with councils from around the State welcoming new citizens throughout the weekend.

Dalyellup resident Graham Nelson moved to Australia in 1966 from Lancashire, England, and said he should have become a citizen a long time ago.

“It feels brilliant,” he said.

“I applied for citizenship 20 months ago, but I just classed myself as Australian for being here so long.”

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails