I’m going to be an Aussie! (Updated)
Catching up on my backlog - a few weeks ago I received a letter saying:
13th December 2007
Dear Mr Samuel
On behalf of the Government and the people of Australia, I am delighted to advise that your application for Australian citizenship has been approved.
Yay! I’m going to be an Aussie1!
Back in the middle of the year I decided that after having lived in Australia for almost 5 years it was about time to do the right thing and apply to be a citizen of my new home. I was hoping to get to vote in the 2007 general election, but changes in the process and travelling overseas meant that the interview that should have happened in September didn’t occur until the 7th December. So they moved pretty quickly from that to the approval! 
I am still a PR (permanent resident) until I do the “Pledge of commitment” which will be some time in the next 6 months or so, but once that happens my PR visa will cease and I’ll need to get an Aussie passport to go with my UK one.
Update: Turns out that “in the next 6 months or so” is actually going to be this coming Australia Day, January 26th!
- well, OK, to be precise, a dual-national UK/Aussie [back]
December 26th, 2007 at 10:34 pm
I’m really excited for you Chris.
buzzy news indeed.
Mwah xxx
Donna Samuel *)
December 27th, 2007 at 1:24 am
You’d better polish up your accent - I hear they examine you on things like that these days
December 27th, 2007 at 4:18 am
Hi Chris,
‘grats on becoming “one of us”. We don’t bite
When my folks and I became “one of us” (very early 70’s), you had to renounce your previous nationality (even for the “Mother Country”).
Also, as I was only a young kid, the paperwork had to be signed by a “responsible parent”…which meant NOT your mother. This resulted in a few strongly worded letters to various ministers and senior Public Servants. I believe the phrase “couldn’t run a brothel, let alone a government department” was used.
So, I hope yours runs a bit more smoothly. Do you get to do your pledge etc on Australia Day ?
Plant your wattle wisely
ANdrew
December 27th, 2007 at 5:15 am
Congratulations, Mate !!! Australia will be blessed to have you as an official citizen! Hugs from your pals ‘up over’ xox! Bev, David & Gordy
December 27th, 2007 at 5:45 pm
Thanks all!
Andrew - yes indeed, I do get to do the pledge on Australia Day! Australia has permitted dual nationality since 2002, and the UK is OK with that too.
Michael - too late for that, they’ve already granted it..
December 27th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
Did they make you do the silly little test to check if you had “Australian Values”, whatever they are…..
December 27th, 2007 at 10:04 pm
Nope, I’d applied and gone through most of the process before that had been announced. Also the only time they could offer me an interview before the one I had in December was when I was away overseas, so I guess I counted as a legacy application (ahem).
December 28th, 2007 at 12:24 am
Congratulations, Chris.
(S.V. gives imaginary handshake; not easy from 12,000 miles away via t’internet).
December 28th, 2007 at 10:37 am
Wow Chris how brilliant. We’re very pleased for you. Very best wishes Bernie, Stephen & Zoe
December 31st, 2007 at 11:35 am
Well, that’s good, the main thing is that your happy. At least you finally got your citizenship approved all the best and God Bless.
Josephine.
January 1st, 2008 at 9:37 pm
beauty mate! perhaps it should be ‘bewdy mayt’ . this is a fabulous place to be, and i feel grateful every day to be born and living in a peaceful and beautiful land. i hope you find all good things here, and there are many indded to discover. notwithstanding the accents, mozzies, and beetroot….
love janette
warmest congratulations to you. please consider yourself slapped heartily on the back and your hand vigorously shook
January 9th, 2008 at 6:17 am
Hi Chris Happy New Year and Congratulations on leaving the sinking ship LOL but seriously great news about the change on citizenship
All my love
Bob
January 10th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
So you’ll get your pressie on my birthday, congratulations!
January 12th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
@Bobeth: don’t think of it so much as a change, more an addition!
@Meryl: happy birthday in advance!
@Janette, Bernie, Stuart: thank you!