‘The perfect spot’: Geraldton to welcome 14 new Australian citizens on Australia Day

Geraldton will welcome 14 new Australian citizens on Monday in an Australia Day citizenship ceremony — the annual tradition that embraces our newest Aussies.

One of those new citizens is South African Crystal Coetzer, who was proud to pass the citizenship test with flying colours and has lived in rural WA for more than six years.

“It’s a great feeling to finally be here and be formally going to be invited into the Australian community. I’ve always felt welcomed, but it’s going to be great to say ‘I’m an Australian’,” she said.

She said the community spirit in Geraldton and other regional towns reminded her of her home country.

“It’s very similar feeling as home, back in South Africa, in that we are together. We greet each other in the streets,” she said.

Ms Coetzer’s husband is Australian but has spent most of his life in Kenya, and they decided to make the move here to embrace his Australian identity.

After more than a year of applying for a partner visa, the couple were able to relocate in mid-2019.

They have lived all over WA, in locations including Margaret River, Port Headland, Exmouth and Carnarvon.

While the COVID restrictions that took hold not long after the relocation made it difficult for the couple to see their family back in Africa, it did allow them to work in the thriving tourist industry while West Australians were unable to travel interstate.

Ms Coetzer said she loved the natural beauty of WA, and that she wanted to settle in Geraldton because of the weather and distance to Perth.

“Finally, after many years of living out of a bag, we’ve found a perfect spot for us,” she said.

She felt bittersweet about becoming a citizen and “closing that book” on her life in South Africa, but said it was very exciting to start the next chapter of her life.

Ms Coetzer will be embracing the Mid West lifestyle to the fullest and celebrating her new Australian identity with a trip to Kalbarri and the Abrolhos Islands.

On Australia Day last year, 15 Geraldton residents became citizens.

This year’s ceremony also includes awards that recognise outstanding contributions to the community. Starting at 10.30am at the QEII Seniors and Community Centre, everyone is welcome to come along and celebrate advocacy and volunteer work.

The day will be packed with a range of activities, starting the day off with a kid’s party at the foreshore and ending the night with a fireworks display at 8.30pm, weather dependent.