He's been living in town for six years, but Arun Pallathery Haridasan is finally an Australian.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Born in India, he was one of six people to receive their citizenship in Goulburn a few weeks ago.
The father of one wanted to become a citizen earlier, but COVID-19 put a spanner in the works.
"I applied to become a citizen for over a year, but I wasn't able to due to COVID," Mr Pallathery Haridasan said.
"My wife and daughter, Viji and Mitravinda, actually got theirs before I did."
The disability support worker came to Goulburn straight from Kerala in India because his wife got a job at the Chisholm Ross Centre and also because he liked living in the country.
"I love the country life because I lived in the country in India and everyone here is really nice," he said.
"I also like farms and big sheep."
When the cricket lover first came to town, the first thing he noticed was the freezing weather.
"I come from Kerala, a coastal state in India, so there are lots of beaches and the temperature is always over 25 degrees.
"Although it was too cold for me at the start, I'm now used to it and I don't like the warm weather anymore."
It was a bit of a struggle at the start of his time in Goulburn, but after becoming a part of the Goulburn Multicultural Centre (GMC), he and his family felt a sense of belonging.
"[GMC manager] Heni Hardi has been very good to me," he said.
"When I first came, she helped with finding a job and with my English classes at TAFE.
"I also enjoy the parties the centre hosts."
The hardest thing about being an Australian for Arun Pallathery Haridasan will be deciding who to support when Australia plays India in the cricket.
Did you know the Goulburn Post is now offering breaking news alerts and a weekly email newsletter? Keep up-to-date with all the local news: sign up below.