Nine years ago, Ms Debrah and daughter Irene made a home together on the banks of the Murrumbidgee, after leaving behind their family and the only life they had ever known before in Sierra Leone.

"I have family, many many members [in Sierra Leone]. My children, my grandchildren, the war has separated us," said Rebecca Debrah.

"They are in my mind, but it is hard. I don't remember a lot."

The two women began their arduous journey to the 'land down under' almost 30 years ago when civil war broke out in their homeland.

As their country splintered under the weight of the war, their family was ripped asunder as they moved from one refugee camp to the next.

"One day, I hope I will be able to go back," Ms Debrah said.

"One day I hope I will see them again."

The applause that welcomed Ms Debrah to the stage on Sunday morning as she accepted her citizenship certificates provided a soundtrack to the beginning of the next chapter. Just to hold that certificate has taken three years of work.

"It was a long process to get here," Ms Debrah said.

"When I first came, I was so happy to be in Australia. 'Wagga Wagga' was the first place I came to, and I was wondering, what will I do in a place called 'Wagga Wagga'?

"I have so many memories here, people are so willing to help and to teach. Wagga is my home."

Shaking hands with the mayor and deputy mayor of Wagga at the annual riverside Australia Day ceremony, Ms Debrah was just one of 41 new citizens in the city.

Others had arrived from Afghanistan, Bulgaria, China, India, Malaysia New Zealand, Pakistan, Sudan South Africa, USA and Great Britain.

To usher in their new life in Wagga, Australia Day ambassador Brad Farmer shared words of welcome.

"This year's theme is 'everyone and every story', and that is what today is about. The inclusivity, the understanding of each other and where we've come from," Mr Farmer said.

"Today is an opportunity to embrace our diversity and celebrate our unity, no matter what our background is, we are all Australians."

It was a sentiment that was shared by Wagga mayor Greg Conkey as he too welcomed the city's newest citizens.

"I know you'll never forget when you've come from, and nor should you," he said.

"Today, you become a citizen of a truly unique country."

One day, Rebecca and Irene Debrah hope they will be able to hear the same words spoken to their lost family members as they too become citizens of Wagga.