Around 16,000 people have become Australians today in citizenship ceremonies held across the country.
For many of those people, the road to citizenship has been paved with sacrifice, struggle - and now, success.
That includes the Kreich family, a family of five who have been in the country for almost six years.
They were joined by dozens of other joyous new citizens at a ceremony in the western Sydney suburb of Parramatta.
Salim Kreich, 34, and his wife, Taghred Kannawi, 30, told SBS their journey began in May 2011.
"Thank god I've reached it and can now call myself an Australian citizen and a part of this country."
Syria, their home country, was several months into the start of its civil war, and so the Kreich’s came to Australia on a holiday visa to visit relatives.
Ms Kannawi explained that little did they know, they would never be going back to Syria.
"The situation in Syria was quickly deteriorating,” she said in her native Arabic.
“So it made it difficult for us to return to our country and return to our homes, because that was it. The conditions were very difficult.
“Thank god this country ensured our safety and gave us hope. We wish for other Syrians to have this."
Daughter Roula Kreich, who also celebrated her seventh birthday, said she was devastated by the fact that the Syrian War had entered its sixth year.
11-month-old baby Zain Kreich is the first in his family to be born in Australia. (SBS) Source: SBS
"It's really sad for Syria that so much (sic) kids have been dying,” she said.
“They don't have any money, they're really poor and they're dying, and they really want food to eat."
When their holiday visas expired, the Kreich's waited in Malaysia until they received Australian protection visas.
Mr Kreich once had a successful hire car and tourism business in Homs.
But he had to let that go and start again.
"I lost my property. I lost my business. And everything (is) gone,” Mr Kreich said.
“If I want(ed) to go back to Syria, I'm going to lose my life and my kids as well."
Related reading
Sharing a common bond: Australia Day Honours
And so Mr Kreich went from refugee to restaurateur. He became the manager of Armani in Parramatta, a restaurant owned by his brother.
Customers, like Farrah Hares, said Mr Kreich was very popular with the people.
"I love Salim. He's really nice, he's like family,” Mr Hares, who is a dentist, told SBS.
“Seeing Salim walking around the restaurant always puts a smile on my face."
Regular customer, Matthew Mia, added: "Salim is an incredibly hospitable guy. Very nice, very genuine."
Business has boomed since becoming a family venture. Armani now employs more than 50 people, and was looking to open another chain.
Mr Kreich wanted to employ more refugees and provide them the same chance he got.
"We try to give back what we get. And we extended our business, and we (are) trying to make a better economy for this country,” Mr Kreich said.
“Now, this is my country. I'm going to focus to do something better. For myself, family, and for whole society, and everyone I can help."
Salim and Taghred have been studying English for the past six years, and their children - Alaa, 8, and Roula - are excelling at primary school.
Becoming citizens, Ms Kannawi described, was like a dream come true.
"Yeah, I'm really excited now,” she said.
“Thank god. I was waiting for this day, and thank god I've reached it and can now call myself an Australian citizen and a part of this country. This is something that is very nice."
And this Australia Day provided another reason for the Kreich's to celebrate, thanks to young Roula’s seventh birthday.
Alaa Kreich sings karaoke for his family. His favourite artist is Justin Bieber. (SBS) Source: SBS
The youngster said she loved Australia very much.
"My favourite part of Australia is keeping people safe, and staying with your family and having fun," she said.
“My favourite part of Australia is keeping safe with my family and going (to the) Gold Coast," added her older brother Alaa.
Mr Kreich believed his family would now have a better future, including his 11-month-old son Zain - the first born in Australia.
Ms Kannawi agreed, but hoped her parents and sisters - who are currently in Turkey - would one day become Australians too.
"We are saddened when we think of the people that are still living in that country (Syria) who are unable to leave, or have any opportunities to leave,” she said.
“We are upset for the children who are being killed every day and the next. For those who are being hit by airstrikes, the children who are escaping via the ocean but are drowning. We are upset for all these people."
