Richard Baxter, with 14 others swore the oath of allegiance to Australia on Tuesday and waved proudly to his five-year-old twins, who were his motivation to become an Australian. 

He said he and his wife, Celia left the United Kingdom to raise their children in Australia because the couple believed the twins would have more opportunities here. 

“I come from the United Kingdom and obviously there are a lot of similarities but I think this is a fantastic place for my children to grow up,” he said. 

Celia, Max and Abi are Australian and Mr Baxter says it is important for him to share a nationality with his family.

Mrs Baxter said she wanted to come back to Orange to raise her children around her Orange family but also believed the Australian way of life was best for her Max and Abi. 

“I like the fact the lifestyle is more outdoors and the children are healthier, in the UK it’s a lot more sedentary,” she said. 

Orange’s latest citizens come from India, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Thailand, Germany, Sudan, England, South Korea and Kenya. 

Mayor John Davis said he was proud the 15 residents were willing to make a public commitment, in front of 3000 people and declare their allegiance to the country. 

He said for most people, the choice to become an Australian was not made because it gave people a right and responsibility to vote but it was usually made out of a desire to join family and to join a community. 

“It is a significant expression of your pride,” he told them.