Rockingham to welcome newest citizens

It was a collective sense of adventure that inspired the Bonnie family to make the trip from Dublin, Ireland, to Western Australia five years ago.

Now, the family of six will join more than 60 others in receiving Australian citizenship at City of Rockingham chambers on Australia Day.

Mother Sabrina Bonnie said she and husband Wayne had the itch for travelling and, having never been to Australia before, decided to apply to emigrate.

She said the family had never looked back and loved the lifestyle Baldivis afforded.

"We came with our bags and our three kids at the time completely into the unknown," Mrs Bonnie said.

"But we're so glad we did because we love it here."

Mrs Bonnie said the visa application process for skilled migration, through husband Wayne's work as an electrician, took about two years and, in that time, she began to have second thoughts.

She said the family decided to visit Perth in 2009 and, after sightseeing trips in a campervan to Monkey Mia and thereabouts, they were hooked.

Mr Bonnie said the family was forced out of its comfort zone to meet new friends on arrival, but had established a culturally diverse social circle.

Baldivis College student Eoin, 14, who will start Year 10 next month, said things were very different from the life he remembered in Ireland, but he was happy to be part of it.

Mayor Barry Sammels said he had the privilege of welcoming 68 new Australians from Brazil, Colombia, Great Britain, India, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Philippines, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe on January 26.