Canadian now calls Sunshine Coast home

More than 160 residents will celebrate an important milestone in their lives when they become our newest Australian citizens at a ceremony at Coolum State School on Thursday, May 21.

One resident who is looking forward to calling Australia home is Ryan Anderson, originally from Canada and now living at Cotton Tree.

Ryan was born in Alberta but was raised on a grain farm in Saskatchewan.

“I made the very tough decision to let my parents know I didn’t have ambitions to take over our family farm which turns 100 years old in 2017,” he said.

“When I was in my teens, I recall hearing an Australian person on TV in a movie and thought to myself I would like to marry someone from that country one day ... and I did!

“I met my Australian wife, Amy, on a cruise ship we had both been working on and moved to Australia in April 2010.”

Ryan said they made the decision to live on the Sunshine Coast as it has everything - the beach, generous people and very little traffic congestion, compared to the bigger cities.

“I work full time in the earth moving equipment industry at Blake Machinery Group in Forest Glen. I also run my own small entertainment business, Anderson Productions, in which I am a booking agent and tour manager for international musicians wanting to tour in Australia,” he said.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my wife's family and my family for always being so supportive. I will be proud to become an Australian citizen.”

Australian Citizenship Ceremonies on the Sunshine Coast are held bi-monthly in locations across the region. Visit Council’s website for further information on Australian Citizenship Ceremonies.