An Australian citizen after 34 years

A 91-year-old Peninsula resident has become an Australian citizen after 34 years in the country.

Mr Charles Pearce has been a resident of Don Leggett House since it first opened.

"Aussie", as he is now known, came to Australia in 1971 with his wife Margret on a 12-month visa to visit eldest daughter Jayne who had married here.

Charles and Margret rented a small flat at Croydon Park and both found jobs.

Mr Pearce said they made lots of friends quickly and thought life in Australia was good.

They decided to return to the UK to settle affairs and returned again on an assisted passage scheme in 1972.

In the UK, Charles served as a police officer for 30 years with the Wiltshire Constabulary, serving mainly in rural areas before joining the Shaw Saville Line as Master at Arms for 12 months.

When he came to Australia in 1971, he took a job as a handyman, staying in the same job until he retired aged 65.

His wife Margret died away in October last year.

Mr Pearce said: "My wife and I had a wonderful life.

"We managed to cope with the First World War, the Roaring 20s, the Great Depression, the Second World War, and the swinging 60s and that wonderful aircraft, the Concorde, having test flights over our house."

Charles has become quite a celebrity having been interviewed by major television and radio stations.

"I am proud to be an Aussie," Charles said.

Andy Taylor, February 28