Friends and family of Glanmor Terry James lined up to clap him out of the theatre in celebration of him finally becoming an Australia citizen.
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He was one of eight Bathurst residents to become citizens on Australia Day.
Mr James has been in Australia for nine years after moving from Wales for love, living in Bathurst since his arrival.
He met Jodie while she was on holiday in Wales and the two have now been married eight years.
Mr James said becoming an Australian citizen had been "on my mind for a couple of years".
A big cheer rang out as he took to the stage on Tuesday to pose for a photo with mayor Bobby Bourke, Member for Bathurst Paul Toole and Australia Day ambassador Lindy Hou.
He said it was a very emotional day.
"All my friends turned up - there's a lot more friends than that, but they all turned up - and it just blows your mind away, Mr James said.
"It was such a good welcome in this country and especially in Bathurst."
He has developed close relationships in Bathurst and has strong ties to the community through his landscaping business, work at South Bathurst Public School and activities at Majellan Bowling Club.
He planned to spend the rest of his Australia Day down at the club with friends and family, celebrating his citizenship.
Other new citizens to take the oath on Australia Day were:
- Jakov Banicevic (Croatia)
- Michael Crowley (Ireland)
- Frederick Vecino Gualto (Philippines)
- Johara Hoosman (South Africa)
- Thi Bich Phuong Le (Vietnam)
- Shea Phillip Peterson (United States)
The eighth new citizen was part of the ceremony but did not wish to be named.
Cr Bourke welcomed all the new citizens warmly and said there was no better day to host a citizenship ceremony than "where an entire nation comes together to celebrate what it means to be Australian".
"What a pleasure to stand with here you today as you embark on this final step in becoming an Australian," he said.
"Becoming an Australian citizen is a very proud occasion and I'm honoured to be able to share it with you."
He added that he was proud that they had chosen the Bathurst region to be their home.
