Proud new Aussies

THE pride of the region's newest Australian citizens shone brightly before a large crowd at Gympie's Australia Day Awards yesterday.

WELCOME: New Australian citizen Malika Loeckx is pictured with her husband Daryl Dodt and sons Fynn and Zander Dodt at Gympie's Australia Day Awards 2016. . Picture: Patrick Woods

THE pride of the region's newest Australian citizens shone brightly before a large crowd at Gympie's Australia Day Awards yesterday.

The group of 17, men, women and children from a range of countries, were welcomed to Australia permanently in a ceremony infused with Australian songs and traditional poetry.

Before they pledged their loyalty to Australia and its people, Mayor Mick Curran told the group the decision to become an Australian citizen was a major one.

"Like other life decisions, it is an event that involves commitment, responsibility, public recognition, celebration of the present and hopes for a common future," he said.

"These are the themes of participation and inclusion - the essence of Australian citizenship."

New citizens (mother and son) Cristinlee Aidulis and James Hangad, 10, with partner Mark Wilson celebrating their citizenship at Gympie's Citizenship Ceremony. Picture: Patrick Woods

An emotional Cristinlee Aidulus, who migrated from the Philippines five years ago, said becoming an Australian citizen felt like winning the lottery.

"Every day I feel lucky because I'm in the lucky country," she said.

Ms Aidulus, whose 10-year-old son James Hangad became a new citizen beside her, said she was looking forward to a good life in Australia.

The qualified midwife felt the country had already afforded her so many opportunities in the few years she has been here.

She found work as a phlebotomist at Gympie's QML and James, who attends Gympie South Primary School, is enjoying the outdoor life with his involvement in Gympie Goldfins Swimming Club.

Malika Loeckx's love for Australia is based on the fantastic community spirit, a good climate and the laid-back nature of its people.

The Gympie general practitioner came to Australia from Belgium in 2003 looking to expand her medical knowledge.

It wasn't long before she met Gympie man Daryl Dodt while working at Caboolture Hospital.

"She called me in, as an intern, thinking I'd know a lot more," Mr Dodt joked.

"But it turned out she knew a lot more than me."

The couple, both doctors, now live in Gympie with young sons Fynn and Zander, who bought their mother a pair of thongs for the ceremony.

The family joked that the new citizen can even tolerate Australian beer and chocolates now.