The Hunter’s a great place to live.

And, this week, City of Newcastle welcomed its largest number of new citizens yet, via group virtual ceremonies, conferring Australian citizenship upon 190 people from 39 countries. 

Following the success of earlier online functions, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen presided over a further two services to allow the newcomers to take the pledge of commitment while the Hunter is still under lockdown. 

“The COVID-19 global pandemic has displaced many people in many different ways, be it through job losses or a reduction in work, illness, or separation from loved ones,” she added.

Despite changing COVID-19 restrictions impacting the traditional face-to-face format, the City has gained 500 citizens in 2021, significantly reducing the waitlist for the Newcastle LGA.

Cr Nelmes said becoming an Australian citizen was not only an important ceremonious occasion, but a vital step towards exercising the democratic right to vote as well as apply for jobs and an Australian passport. 

“Adapting our face-to-face citizenship ceremonies to online was a simple measure City of Newcastle could take to provide practical support to our new citizens at this challenging time.” 

Newcastle’s newest citizens hail from all corners of the globe, from Afghanistan and Iran to Sri Lanka and South Africa.  

Among them was Steve Barretto who was born in England, raised in South Africa, and moved to Ireland when he was 19.

He met his now wife Nadine from Newcastle in Belfast and relocated to the area in 2008 to start a family. 

“Newcastle is the best place in the world, without a doubt,” he said.

“I remember as a kid watching cricket and wondering what it would be like to live in Australia. 

“I’m really happy it’s all official, I’ll be having a little lockdown celebration at home with my family, with some beers I have in the fridge and a meat pie.”

The City welcomes refugees and people of all cultural backgrounds, with 14% of Novocastrians born overseas and more than 14,000 speaking another language at home. 

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