Enjoying the best of both worlds

After living here for more than 20 years, the Willetton resident became a citizen along with 80 other Canning residents at an Australia Day ceremony.

‘I was very emotional ” it was a beautiful day,’ Mr Yap said.

‘I’ve always felt that I’m Australian and part of the community, but now I’m officially an Aussie; it feels like the beginning.’

Mr Yap has tried to keep close ties with his birth country, which includes taking part in annual Chinese New Year celebrations.

While his childhood memories are of family dinners, Mr Yap has spent the past eight years involved in organising major Chinese New Year events through his work.

‘It’s (Chinese New Year) much more recognised and a lot more things are happening in Perth than in previous years,’ he said.

Mr Yap doesn’t return to Malaysia to visit other family as much as he would like but said there was a strong Malaysian community in Perth.

‘I like to be reminded where I’m from,’ he said.