MILES may have kept Dana Fischetti from some family milestones, but the global pandemic couldn't stop the US expatriate becoming an official citizen of Newcastle.
Ms Fischetti will be one of almost 150 new citizens from 39 countries welcomed through citizenship ceremonies on Wednesday dubbed a first for City of Newcastle council.
The federal Department of Home Affairs allowed group ceremonies to go ahead virtually amid the statewide lockdown, leading to Newcastle's first being held online this week.
Ms Fischetti, who shifted to Australia from the US with husband and University of Newcastle pro-vice chancellor John eight years ago, said the distance between the two countries had been harder to navigate since borders closed amid the global pandemic.
Her children Justin and Katie are among the family and friends they haven't seen in person since March 2020. Granddaughter Eva, now two years old, couldn't walk or talk.
"It's incredibly hard being separated from family during the pandemic," Mrs Fischetti said. "Pre-COVID we'd see them three or four times a year, so this is the longest time we've spent apart and FaceTime isn't the same for those important milestones.
"That said, we're extremely grateful for the opportunity to become Australian citizens. We cherish our Australian friends and the opportunities this amazing country has provided for us.
"We love our life in Newcastle and have witnessed so much positive change in the city since we moved here in 2013. We're also proud to be part of such a culturally diverse community."
