26th January is a proud day for so many Australians and what could be more exciting than taking the pledge as an Australian Citizen on this special day.

Principal of VLSHD, Veronica McFarland, a proud resident of the Central Coast, attended Gosford City's Australia Day Citizenship Award Ceremony with her family where Mayor Chris Holstein presented 43 Certificates of Citizenship along with special mementos to mark the occasion. Councillor Holstein's proud announcement that Veronica had been living in Australia for 50 years was met with a cheery round of applause.

Gosford Council's beautifully presented Ceremony was attended by State and Federal Politicians, Citizen of the Year Ken Duncan, Australia Day Ambassador Little Pattie and Gosford's local Ambassador Lucky Star. The Ceremony was made all the more special for Veronica with some local celebrities appearing, one being her son Douglas who was interviewed about his award of Young person of Gosford City and his achievements in Highland Dancing.

Veronica celebrated her new citizenship with her family attending Gosford's waterfront festivities where her dancers enthused audiences with their contemporary Highland Dances. At night the McFarland Family attended a Masonic Lodge Morning Star's Burns Night/Australia Day Celebration, where again Veronica's dancers entertained the large audience.

Veronica migrated from her homeland of Scotland in 1958 with her family and has continued her love of Scottish Culture through her passion for the sport of Highland Dancing. It was through pipe bands and Highland dancing that she met her husband John. She is well-known and respected for her quality teaching and is pleased to promote the Central Coast via Highland Dancing.