New citizen's climate swap formalised

Scottish-born doctor Emma Marshall will officially wave goodbye to the -5C commutes to work through mountains of snow on Monday.

The local medic will join 17 others as they make the pledge to become Broome's newest Australian citizens during this year's Australia Day celebrations.

The ceremony will mark a new beginning for Dr Marshall, who said it has been a long battle to gain permanent residency and citizenship - all up 4½ years.

Dr Marshall spent two years in Perth as a teenager with her family, and after falling in love with the people and lifestyle, vowed she would return.

True to her word, she packed up her dog and belongings almost five years ago and moved to Australia, relocating to Broome 18 months ago.

"Since moving to Broome I have fallen in love with the laidback lifestyle, the opportunity to get out camping and fishing and experiencing nature … so much so that my husband and I are planning on staying here permanently," Dr Marshall said.

"I decided to become an Australian citizen as I met my husband, who is Australian, in Perth and we plan on having a family. I want to be able to contribute to Australian society in every way possible and becoming a citizen allows me to do this."

The citizens taking part in the ceremony hail from a variety of countries, including New Zealand, the Philippines, United Kingdom, Cuba, Canada, Egypt, India, China and Sweden.