More than 30 new Australians sworn in at Alice Springs Town Council citizenship ceremony on Territory Day

More than 30 expats have had an unforgettable Territory Day in the Red Centre, becoming Australians in a special ceremony. See the pictures.

Te Ata Namana with his "support crew" which included Alice Springs Town Council Mayor Matt Paterson. Picture: Gera Kazakov

More than 30 from all corners of the world have become Australians – and Territorians – in a special Red Centre ceremony on the Territory’s biggest day.

On Monday morning, 37 expats became Australian citizens at a ceremony held at the Alice Springs Town Council chambers.

The new citizens originally hailed from all corners of the globe, with some coming to Australia from as far as Estonia, while others made the jump across the ditch from New Zealand.

Kenyan Meshack Kosgei, who arrived in Australia in 2017, said he was happy to finally become an Australian.

Meshack Kosgei from Kenya with friends and family. Picture: Gera Kazakov

“The country is beautiful, the people are beautiful, very courteous … I’ve been able to enjoy the place for a while now, but now I’m an Australian I’m very happy,” he said.

Melanie Harper and Samuel Inkersell. Picture: Gera Kazakov

For New Zealand-born Te Ata Namana, getting the citizenship just formalised something he always felt: that he was Australian.

“It’s been a long time coming, I’ve lived in this country 20 years,” he said.

“I’ve felt Australian since I grew up here … my family came when I was a baby, I was three years old, I just never got around to the paperwork.”

For others, such as Melanie Harper and Samuel Inkersell, the ceremony coinciding with Territory Day meant the celebrations would last long into the night and also have a special bang.

“We’ll go to Uncles,” Mr Inkersell said with a laugh.

“We’ll go to all the haunts,” Ms Harper added.