Originally Posted by sonlymewalter

Cheers

I know not everyone likes parties or functions. I bloody hate them in fact I hate any fuss about anything, but I figured it was my way of saying thank you to a country I'm proud to live in - even if I see its faults.

I agree with you. It's a special day

Originally Posted by Pollyana

I do take your points on board, and actually hope that once I am a citizen it will make me feel more at home and more part of the country. The job (if I get it) will be a major commitment to helping with the safety of the State and the country, and I'll be very proud to be doing it.

But I just don't see why I have to go to a big ceremony, look like I'm enjoying myself, and watch big family parties having fun. Call me selfish if you like but as I'll be billy-no-mates there on my own I'd just rather keep it very low key!

Originally Posted by moneypen20

I take your points and agree. I am very keen on taking citizenship and becoming an Aussie. My husband and girls are already. I have no intention of living anywhere else and love the country. I just happen to be a fairly shy person in real life and my idea of hell is standing up in front of people and having to say or do anything, it's just the way I've always been and when working always managed to get out of presenting reports etc. If I have to do it I will, but I'd rather not and that doesn't take anything away from the country or the amount of pride I'll have being Aussie, it's just the way I am.

I'm going to wait until I get the letter offering the date and contact the council. With the best will in the world the woman who said no was a DIAC employee not a council employee so there's a fair chance she doesn't know that you can do a private one.

Originally Posted by JackTheLad

Ahhh, its just a ceremony, if you are not into ceremonies doesn't mean you don't take citizenship seriously.

We followed the instructions to the rule, turned up when they said, with a 1 year old baby. Waited for 30 minutes for the ceremoney to start, baby starts playing up, I have to leave to quieten the baby, then return for the certificate presentation, and then leave again with the screaming baby.

As Frasier said, if you're not into ceremonies, you can turn up 30 minutes late, hang around at the back, collect your certificate when your name is called and leave again.

Actually, that sounds very Australian to me, not giving a toss about rules.

JTL

Originally Posted by moneypen20

Did the test today. Passed. Handed over the forms together with permission for them to remove $240 from my account . Now the wait for the letter to arrive.

I did ask if I had to go to a big ceremony as I don't do the bells and whistles thing in front of loads of strangers. I asked if I could just rock up to the council offices and say the pledge to some random there but she said no so if anyone is due a ceremony on the Gold Coast in about 4 or 5 months, I guess I'll see you there

Originally Posted by sunbather

Is that $240 each?

Originally Posted by Pollyana

I did think I was clutching at straws! The eternal hope that one day I'll feel at home here....

AS for the private stuff, being in Brisbane I very much doubt they'll do it - Moneypen has asked her local one and got a flat No. Brisbane being an even bigger area I'm not hopeful, though I'll give it a try.

Good to see you back by the way, hows life treating you?

Originally Posted by kiwi_child

Yeh so-so. Had alovely couple of months in NZ with family and friends over xmas/new year and am now living in melbourne. Have to get my licence sorted and look aound for some p/t work. Want to do another hol to NZ end of this year. Also want to finish my final 4 units in my degree b4 grey becomes a permanent hair colour lol. so next 12 months or so looking busy.

Nice to be back among some familiar posters/mods U seen Arkon on the forum of late? Just wondering how he is.