Jannali resident Albert Rugut came to Australia from Kenya to secure a better future for his young family.
Initially, uncertain about coming here, he now has no regrets.
He has found excellent schools; his children have made many friends and, most importantly, there is a feeling of safety here.
For these reasons, he has decided to become an Australian citizen on Australia Day.
Mr Rugut, an analyst programmer, arrived from Nairobi, Kenya five-and-a-half years ago and his wife Diana arrived six months later with their daughters, Jasmine and Juliet.
"We came here mainly for our kids. It's a good place for them to grow up in.
"I thought that this is a better place for them to grow up. Australia is well-known in Kenya and some of my friends had come here before me," Mr Rugut said.
"I have been living in the shire since I arrived and the atmosphere is friendly for the kids.
"The schools are very good and they have made quite a lot of friends.
"We were a bit worried when we came here, but it feels extremely safe to be here.
"Australia is a wonderful country. If you come here with the right mindset, it is a perfect place to be," he said.
"You have to come here ready to work and obey the law.
"It is the best place to be because the opportunities are here."
Mr Rugut will be one of 35 conferees confirmed to take up citizenship at Sutherland Shire Council's Australia Day citizenship ceremony.
They hail from a diverse range of backgrounds including the UK, the US, Nepal, Malaysia, Hungary, Ireland, India, Germany, China, Vietnam, South Africa, Kenya, Canada, the Philippines and the Netherlands.
Together, they will swear the Oath of Allegiance pledging their loyalty to Australia and its people, democratic beliefs, rights, liberties and laws.
