LOCALS will have to change their nickname for Kiewa’s newest Australian residents.
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The Swedish family have been affectionately known as “The Swedes” in the small Kiewa-Tangambalanga community but on Saturday they officially became Australian, after taking the citizenship pledge.
Engineer Carl Rutgersson, dairy genetics worker Anna Norgren and their daughter Julia Rutgersson were handed lamingtons and a native pot plant after the ceremony.
Their youngest child, William Rutgersson, wasn’t involved because he was born in Australia.
Mr Rutgersson said he and his wife both came from large cities in Sweden, but they certainly weren’t complaining about their tree-change.
“The climate is obviously a big difference, minus 25 degrees my friends had the other day,” he said.
“And there is a big difference in community spirit, too. People are just more friendly when they’re in the street.”
The family are already immersing themselves in Aussie culture — they are Albury Tigers supporters and follow Hawthorn and St Kilda in the AFL.