Alan D’hulst and Alexia Caraes, who will become Australian citizens this year, say they feel more at home in Perth than they do in France.
Camera IconAlan D’hulst and Alexia Caraes, who will become Australian citizens this year, say they feel more at home in Perth than they do in France. Credit: Supplied/Martin Kennealey d478483

Australia Day: French family from Churchlands prepare to become Australian citizens

Laura PondStirling Times

A CHURCHLANDS family is preparing to say au revoir to France and G’day to Australia.

Alan D’hulst, Alexia Caraes and their children David (7) and Jeremy (5) D’hulst are among 110 people set to become Australian citizens at a City of Stirling citizenship ceremony on Friday.

Mr D’hulst and Ms Caraes, who both come from France, originally moved to Sydney in 2007 for him to take a job as a geologist, then they moved to Perth in late 2008.

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“It was pretty different from Sydney,” he said.

“When you come to Perth, it’s more relaxed.

“In 2008 it was even more relaxed than it is now; we really liked it.”

They enjoyed the relaxed lifestyle so much that the couple decided to start a family here and eventually wanted to become citizens.

“We really feel like Australia is home now,” Mr D’hulst said.

“We’re happy to go to France for holidays and to visit family but after a while we want to come home.”

He said the family was looking forward to the citizenship ceremony.

“It is exciting, (Ms Caraes) is really excited,” he said.

“We feel more at home here than in France.”

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