Aimee Cunningham (USA)
New life in Australia
Becoming an Australian citizen was a choice that Aimee Cunningham couldn't have been more sure about. And her choice has benefited Australia in more ways than one.
Aimee Cunningham has an extraordinary job. When her phone rings, she will sometimes head for Brisbane Airport, ready to jump on a jet and fly hundreds of kilometres across the continent.
Originally from San Francisco, Aimee brought her expertise as an Organ Transplant Coordinator with a procurement agency in California to the Organ Donation Agency of Queensland Health.
'Our role is to facilitate someone's wish to be an organ donor after they have died,' said Aimee.
'When I'm on call, I'm asked to speak to relatives who wish to proceed with organ donation. This can take me away from my family for about 24 hours.'
Aimee's family includes Australian-born husband, John, and four children.
Aimee and the two older children became Australian citizens on Australia Day 2005, joining almost 12,000 other people around the country.
Aimee's decision to become a citizen not only touches her family, but also the lives of the families whose loved ones are involved with organ donation.
'Australian citizenship is reaffirmation that this is our home and how much we love living here, Aimee said.
'The Australian culture is one that has basically wrapped its arms around our family and I couldn't be happier being here and being an Australian for me is my way of saying we love it here too and we're happy to wrap our arms around Australia.'