New citizens happy to join the team

While former Australian prime minister Tony Abbott became infamous for urging migrants to join “Team Australia”, new citizen Richard Acheampong says there is a special sense of teamwork in his adopted country.

Ghanaian-born Mr Acheampong joined 46 other Hedland residents in becoming Australian citizens at a ceremony on the Civic Centre lawns this month.

Basking in the sunshine, the new citizens took their oaths overlooking the Indian Ocean with Mayor Kelly Howlett presiding.

Mr Acheampong said he chose to become an Australian citizen because he felt the country had welcomed him with open arms since he came here on a 457 visa four years ago.

“I deem Australia to be the best country for everyone to live in,” he said.

“You get lots of opportunities.

“There is a lot of peace (and) understanding and people are lovely to work with, especially at my workplace — they look after one another.

“Australia talks about teammates, (and) we are really teammates because we work together ... and help each other.”

The citizenship ceremony was the second of the year in Hedland after residents welcomed a new batch of citizens into the country’s fold on Australia Day.