More than a dozen people took part in a citizenship ceremony at MidCoast Council’s Taree chambers on Wednesday, August 1.

Family and friends looked on as the group recited the Australian Citizenship Pledge.

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The ceremony was presided over by MidCoast Council general manager Adrian Panuccio and Mayor David West. 

Mayor West was visibly proud to welcome the group.

“I’ve done four of these as mayor and it’s a real honour,” Mayor West said.

Mayor West also read out a welcome message from Federal Immigration Minister Peter Dutton. 

Mr Panuccio was pleased to see strong support for the group.

“It’s great to see so many proud people and their families who are happy to be here,” Mr Panuccio said.

Each person was presented a certificate, medallion and commemorative shrub by Mayor West and Member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead. 

The ceremony concluded with the singing of Advance Australia Fair. 

For Gurpreet Singh, Rajvinder Kaur, Sukhmeen, Sampreet and Pavneet Sohal, becoming Australian citizens was an obviously choice.

Formerly of Punjab in India, the family came to Australia in 2009.

They settled in Taree two years later.

Their love of the country and boundless opportunities drove them to become citizens.