IT was the birth of his first daughter two years ago that prompted Xi Lu from China to become an Australian citizen at Carss Bush Park.The 37-year-old family man from Hurstville moved to Australia more than five years ago in search of a new culture and to expand his education in Sydney.

His Chinese wife Vivian, whom he met in Australia three years ago, did not become a citizen, but she and their daughter Angela attended the event to show support.

“China is my motherland, but Australia is now my country and I just wanted to become a citizen to make my contribution to the country,” Mr Lu said.

“I have no other relatives here in Australia, so I am excited to be the first Australian generation of my family.”

The electrical engineering PhD student at Sydney University found the culture challenging at first, but it was only a matter of time for him to understand the Australian way of life.

“It didn’t take long for me to adapt to this country because I connected with the Australian way of thinking quickly,” Mr Lu said.

More than 16,000 people became Australian citizens on Tuesday, with 50 people at Kogarah Council and 71 people at Rockdale Council.

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