UK family’s sense of pride as new citizens
WITH no jobs, no plans and two young kids, Englishman Simon Tyrell put all his faith in Australia and the Gold Coast.
Mr Tyrell, wife Lizzie and their two children officially became Australian citizens on Tuesday, five years after moving to the Gold Coast from the UK.
They were among 50 new citizens at a Bundall ceremony, overseen by Mayor Tom Tate.
Mr Tyrell said a trip to the Gold Coast seven years ago was all the convincing they needed to make the drastic shift around the world.
“It was just after we’d had our son. We were considering relocating so we came on holiday to the Gold Coast,” he said.
“We just loved the place and the lifestyle for our family, so we decided to apply for a permanent residency visa and moved over five years ago.
“It was just a change for our family to have that outdoor lifestyle. It was very daunting, but we sold all our furniture and our house so we had something to fall back on and get started.”
Four years later, with son Elliott, 8, and Violet, 5, the family applied for citizenship.
“It was quite emotional when I was reading out the pledge, I had butterflies,” Mr Tyrell said. “There was a sense of pride, it was a really good feeling.”
Cr Tate on Monday recalled his own citizenship ceremony in Sydney almost 40 years ago.
“It remains one of my proudest moments and now, as Mayor, I’m so fortunate to bestow the honour on to others.
“I know all 50 new Aussies will feel the same emotions I did all that time ago.”
Mr Tyrell had a truly Australian celebration planned: “We’re going home to have a swim in the pool and a barbecue.”