The Clarence Town resident initially came to Australia to visit a school friend who had immigrated here.

She was 23-years-old and had no intention of moving here permanently – until she met Tony Sanders.

“I stayed here for four months and then went home,” Lesley said.

“Tony came to visit me and the relationship continued.

“I got seasonal work back home and in 1993 he came over and we travelled around Europe for a few months.

“I went back to Australia in 1994 and we gave ourselves six months – either I would move here, he would come to Scotland or we would forget it.

“It was one of the hardest periods of my life as it never crossed my mind that I would live anywhere else other than Scotland.

“My family was there and I love them . . . but eventually made up my mind to move here.”

Lesley applied for permanent residency six months later and it was a natural progression to be become an Australian citizen.

“I took a long time to take that final step, it felt like I was giving up my family and country,” she said.

“I felt like this for a long time, I just couldn’t do it.

“But now I feel comfortable with my decision – I still have my background and my family.

“Now I feel I’m ready to be a fully fledged member of [the Australian] society.

“And it is 15 years this month since I received permanent residency so the time is right.

“I have been welcomed into a lovely family – Lois and Bob [Sanders] have made me feel like another daughter.

“I’m very lucky.”