Narrogin to welcome ten new Aussies this Australia Day

Narrogin will welcome 10 new Aussies this Australia Day, with this year’s candidates to make the pledge of commitment to Australia after coming from the Philippines, Zimbabwe, South Africa, the UK, Italy and Zambia. Among those set to become Australian citizens next Tuesday is a familiar face to many — Peter Baker. The local accountant and president of Towns Cricket Club has called the town home since 2014. “I quit my job back in the UK and came over here to travel on a working holiday visa,” Mr Baker said. “I’d thrown my CV around and I was in Byron Bay when I got a phone call about a job interview in Narrogin. “I didn’t even know where Narrogin was, but they called me on the Wednesday and I was here for the interview that Friday.” Mr Baker said he loved living in Narrogin and particularly relished being involved in country sport. “As soon as I got involved with sport, especially the cricket, I absolutely loved it here,” he said. “In the first game we went out to play Kukerin-Dumbleyung. “They made about 300-odd runs and we got bowled out for 29, but I absolutely loved it. They’re such a good bunch of blokes. “I would never have imagined when I was younger that I’d move to Australia, but I did it on a bit of a whim and it’s paid off. “I just love the lifestyle — life here is really good.” Shire of Narrogin president Leigh Ballard said it was a moving experience to watch people make the citizenship pledge and welcome them into the community as new Australians. “The candidates are always so thankful and proud to have finally become Australian citizens,” Cr Ballard said. “It’s great to know they will enjoy the fullest of privileges our great country offers which we, who were born here, may sometimes take for granted.”