SIX years after leaving Zimbabwe for Australia, the Madade family stood clutching bouquets of native flowers in Victoria Park, proud new citizens.
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"We saw more opportunities in Australia so we thought, why not?" said Tendayi Madade, 41, a community services support officer.
His partner Adiona Mbodza had received a job offer to work as a nurse so the couple brought their two children, Trish, 12, and Cliff, 7, straight to Dubbo.
Having passing a "challenging" citizenship test, they took the pledge with 10 others yesterday.
In a mix of accents, the immigrants swore: "I pledge my loyalty to Australia and its people, whose democratic beliefs I share, whose rights and liberties I respect, and whose laws I will uphold and obey".
Asked how the family felt as new citizens, Mr Madade considered his answer.
"I feel-"
"Excited!" Trish interjected.
Mr Madade agreed.
"I feel honoured," he said.
Mayor Mathew Dickerson formally welcomed the new citizens to Australia, then offered a more informal greeting.
"Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!" he chanted.
"Oi! Oi! Oi!" the crowd cheered back.
On Sunday, a record 17,863 people across Australia became citizens, nearly 65 years after the first citizenship ceremony welcomed a small group of European men.
Before the Nationality and Citizenship Act came into effect in 1949, most people living in Australia were considered British subjects.
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