It was a grand occasion at Albert Hall as the City of Launceston council officially welcomed 63 new Australian citizens to Launceston.
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The ceremony was a cultural melting pot with citizens from countries like Switzerland, Bhutan, Iran, Thailand, Sudan, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, Canada, India, China, South Korea and Sri Lanka represented.
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The Bredenhof family immigrated away from the bustling city of Ontario in Canada to the surrounds of Launceston four years ago for work.
"I was called to serve the church here. I am the pastor of the Free Reformed Church of Launceston, so I am serving the church and of course my family came as well," Wesley Bredenhof said.
"We have four children, but the middle daughter is already an Australian citizen because she jumped the queue and we got our turn today."
After braving the freezing Canadian winters, where temperatures can reach minus 30 degrees, the cool winters of Launceston represents something of a change for the family.
After settling in Launceston, Mr Bredenhof said they had come to enjoy the more laidback lifestyle found in the state.
"The quality of life here is just unsurpassed. You know the outdoor opportunities if you love the outdoors, having the mountains nearby," he said.
"We were living in Ontario, we were near a big city and [with] the traffic and overall business of life ... here it is much more laid back in town."
After enjoying all Launceston has had to offer since 2015, the family hopes to enjoy the city for many more years to come.
"I hope to be able to stay here for some years to come and maybe the rest of my life," Mr Bredenhof said.
Mayor Albert van Zetten was on-hand to officiate the ceremony which was attended by families and friends of the new citizens.
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Speaking on behalf of Citizenship and Migrant Services Minister Alex Hawke, Tasmanian Senator Wendy Askew extended a warm welcome to the new citizens.
"We are immensely proud of what we have achieved as a nation, and we welcome you in joining us," she said.
"I call on you to embrace these values and the rights and responsibilities of an Australian citizen and play an active part in your communities to build an even stronger nation."
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