Nine-year-old Kesha Gonzalo and mother Cherry Buttery were among 21 Wodonga residents granted Australian citizenship during the city's Australia Day celebration.
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The pair emigrated from The Philippines to Australia in 2014, living in Townsville and Sydney before finding their home in Wodonga.
Mrs Buttery said they were proud to become official citizens on Australia Day.
"There's a lot of opportunity here, it's a good country and I met a good husband," she said.
"It was overwhelming, very exciting."
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Wodonga mayor Kevin Poulton said it was an honour to be a part of welcoming and celebrating Wodonga's newest citizens. It was Mr Poulton's first Australia Day since taking on the top job.
"When you're born into the country of Australia you sort of take for granted what some of you are so proud to go for today, and go through becoming Australian citizens," he said.
New citizens received their citizenship certificates from Senator Bridget McKenzie along with a poppy.