Ash Bolt
A London neighbour led to Julia O’Brien’s love story, which reached a significant chapter on Wednesday as she became an Australian citizen.
“I married an Aussie, we were neighbours in London,” Ms O’Brien said.
“It was always the plan to come back here to Australia but we never fully committed to it.
“One day we said, ‘let’s give it a go’ and here I am.”
Ms O’Brien was one of 27 new citizens who took their oath at the Surf Coast Shire Council’s virtual Australian citizenship ceremony this week.
The Barwon Health paediatric nurse and her husband Jeremy previously lived in Perth, before another stint in the UK.
Their decision to ultimately settle in Jan Juc was an easy one.
“Jeremy has always surfed and we didn’t want to live in a city again,” Ms O’Brien said.
“Jan Juc isn’t too far from Melbourne and isn’t too far from Warrnambool, where Jeremy’s from.”
The village feel of Jan Juc appealed to the couple, who have called the Surf Coast home for 13 years with their children Ben, 12, and Isla, five.
“It’s such a great community, especially with the kinder and Bellbrae school,” Ms O’Brien said.
“We’re always bumping into people from Juc and all the neighbours … are great. We also love the fact that we can walk to the beach.”
A COVID-19 lockdown in August 2020 gave the Worcester export plenty of time to apply for Australian citizenship.
“I didn’t think about it too much when I applied but I think I will be quite emotional at the ceremony,” she said.
“My roots will always be in the UK along with my heart. I miss my family and friends there every day but our family has a great life here.
“I’m proud to be here and proud to be an Australian. I also have the advantage of two passports, and my children have two passports and are able to experience both countries.”
The shire’s citizenship ceremony was held via Zoom rather than in-person due to COVID-19 restrictions, but Ms O’Brien said it was just as special.
She said the family celebrated with a small barbecue with friends.
“Hopefully we can have a bigger party at a later date,” she said.
After becoming a dual citizen, she said she was prepared to be asked a tough question.
“I don’t know who I’m going to go for in the cricket. I think I’ll tell people it depends who’s winning,” she said.
In the City of Greater Geelong, 49 new citizens were welcomed in online ceremonies on Australia Day.
Deputy mayor Trent Sullivan presided over 32 separate ceremonies with new citizens conferred individually or in small family groups.
Highlighting the diversity of the Greater Geelong community, there were 18 countries of origin represented among the conferees, including people originally from Portugal, Ghana, Afghanistan, Canada and Zimbabwe.
Cr Sullivan said he was honoured to play a part on such a special day for those involved.
“I’m fortunate to have the opportunity to preside over citizenship ceremonies and see the joy on the face of every person taking the pledge,” he said.
“Becoming an Australian citizen brings so much happiness and pride, and on Australia Day in particular, it’s a great reminder about how lucky we are to call this beautiful country our home.
“Congratulations to everyone I had the pleasure of meeting.”
While the City had initially planned to hold three in-person citizenship ceremonies on Wednesday, the shift to online was made due to the current COVID-19 situation in the region.
In total, the City conferred 436 new citizens during 2021 through a mix of online and in-person ceremonies.
