He was also one of the oldest new citizens to be welcomed to Australia.

"I think there's been a few people who are older than me who have gained citizenship," he said.

"But at three score and 13 (73) I'm the oldest (new citizen) tonight."

The retired engineer comes from near the Suffolk and Norfolk border in England, about 20 miles from the UK's most easterly point.

"I've been in Australia officially since 2009 but I have visited a few times before that," Mr Wright said.

"I did all the tourist things and visited here once or twice more before I decided to stay."

Mr Wright's daughter followed him to Australia not long after and lives and works in Brisbane.

"She got a residency and citizenship a couple of years ago," he said.

"It's nice to see her a few times a year and it's great weather in Brisbane."

Mr Wright decided on Bendigo after meeting a few friends through the Bendigo Historical Motorcycle club.

"I like the layout of Bendigo and decided I should stay here," he said.

"I'm very happy here. I like the people and I like the culture.

"There are a lot of migrants and it's good to see everybody mixing and getting along together.

"With so many different cultures as long as everybody gets along okay and respects the laws, then it will be good."

Mr Wright was joined by about 40 other new citizens from a wide variety of countries at the ceremony at Bendigo Town Hall.

City of Greater Bendigo mayor Barry Lyons and chief executive Craig Niemann presided over the ceremony.

"We have seen a lot of diversity from families with really young children as well as older people who have made the decision to be come an Australia citizens which is great to see," Mr Niemann said.

People and places - Page 28