![WELCOME: The Vilches-Montero family now officially call Australia home. The family-of-four were welcomed by Maitland mayor Loretta Baker at a citizenship ceremony on Wednesday. Picture: Supplied WELCOME: The Vilches-Montero family now officially call Australia home. The family-of-four were welcomed by Maitland mayor Loretta Baker at a citizenship ceremony on Wednesday. Picture: Supplied](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/32YmRiivtENukX3prXGk2iY/5d042d87-15c6-4d57-b709-803c9b8a6097.JPG/r0_307_6000_3694_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The Maitland community recently welcomed 12 new Aussies during a citizenship ceremony at council chambers.
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Family and friends looked on and cheered as the group recited the Australian Citizenship Pledge.
New citizen Sonia Vilches-Montero, originally from Chile, was surrounded by her husband and two children during the ceremony, held last Wednesday (August 29).
The East Maitland resident said the family had originally only planned to stay temporarily but fell in love with the country.
“My husband and I came to Australia to complete our PhD's and, then four years later, we didn’t want to leave,” Mrs Vilches-Montero said.
“We’ve lived in Australia for 12 years, and here in Maitland for almost six years. We decided to apply for citizenship because we call Australia home and feel part of the community now.
“I love how all the people can live peacefully and joyfully in the same country, with all the different backgrounds.
“There is no discrimination because Australia really does welcomes multiculturalism.”
The ceremony included new citizens originating from India, Philippines, Chile, Thailand, Scotland, Papua New Guinea, United Kingdom and the United States of America.
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