BECOMING Australian citizens is a “dream come true” for a young Innaloo family.
Maria Ruiz moved with her husband Juan Garzon and then two-year-old son to Perth five years ago from Colombia.
After graduating university in Colombia, Ms Ruiz said she dreamed of experiencing life in a foreign country.
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READ NOWThe couple lived in Canada for five years but it was “too cold” and decided to apply through the skilled migration process to live in Perth, where her sister and sister-in-law lived.
After three years, the family was granted permanent residence.
“Australia gives us a lot of opportunities,” Ms Ruiz said.
“Here you can find people from all different countries.”
The couple, who both work as engineers, also have a 10-month-old daughter born in Perth and will join her in becoming Australian citizens along with son Tomas (6) at City of Stirling’s citizenship ceremony on Sunday.
“It’s something we have wanted for a while, it’s a dream come true,” Ms Ruiz said.
She said the family loved living in Innaloo, where they could visit the beach, local parks and swimming pools.
“I love this area, it’s very close to the city and the beaches are beautiful,” she said.
“I think this is a little bit of paradise. I would like to spend the rest of my life here.”
Stirling will host its annual Citizen of the Year Awards alongside the citizenship ceremony on Sunday, where 240 people from 60 countries will gain citizenship.
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