New Australians celebrate citizenship and academic achievement

A home away from home is what Toowoomba has become for the Njoroge family. Francis Njoroge Gacenga, a USQ Business student, his wife Patricia and their five children have lived in the Garden City since 2006 and recently celebrated becoming Australian citizens.

Francis and Patricia decided to migrate from Kenya in search of a family friendly, egalitarian and progressive society.

'We grew up and worked in a city and explored what other countries had to offer,' Mr Gacenga said. 'We wanted a place where kids could be kids and a pace of life that allowed people to stop and say hello.'

Although Mr Gacenga said leaving family, friends and careers behind while taking a step into unfamiliar territory was difficult, the people they met made it easier.

'The people were welcoming, relaxed and friendly and treated us like we were family,' he said.

The children quickly settled into school and made friends, while Patricia and Francis found employment.

Mr Gacenga was awarded an Australian Research Council (ARC) Scholarship which has enabled him to complete a PhD in Information Systems with the School of Information Systems in the Faculty of Business and Law at USQ.

'We have enjoyed best the people, parks, sports, weather and the pace of life. The gap created by distance has been filled by friends and a caring community rich in values and we thank technology for video calls and email,' he said.

'As we celebrate our citizenship, we look forward to contributing to our Toowoomba community and Australian society by reciprocating the kindness and gifts which we could hardly ever repay.'