With a camera in hand and a goal of capturing photos of incredible marine life, Rebecca Griffiths has spent the past five years visiting many beautiful places and now she officially calls Australia, and Bundaberg, her home.
The wildlife photographer celebrated becoming an Australian at Bundaberg Regional Council’s Citizenship Ceremony at the Multiplex on Friday.
She said she was proud to be a Bundaberg Region resident after moving to the country from Weymouth in Dorset.
Rebecca is no stranger to travel, spending her time visiting every corner of the globe as part of her career before moving to Bundaberg five months ago.
Her travels have taken her from Mexico to Peru, West Africa, the Galapagos Islands and Faroe Islands, although she said the “hidden gem” of Bundaberg had surprised her.
“I feel like Bundaberg is a hidden gem as Goreng Goreng country has so much incredible nature and wildlife,” Rebecca said.
“To have the privilege of living in such a beautiful country with so much cultural history and diverse landscape is incredible.”
Rebecca has lived in Australia for eight years and said recently settling in Bundaberg had opened her up to even more opportunities for her photography.
“To be able to be on the Southern Great Barrier Reef in under an hour from home, or to be able to see turtles hatching down the road at Mon Repos is amazing,” she said.
“I really feel like I am living amongst nature here and it is pretty special to be able to immerse yourself in it.”
Rebecca said she found her love for photography five years ago and the Bundaberg Region had so much on offer for her to continue to capture into the future.
“Bundaberg has so many amazing things to photograph,” she said.
“I am ocean obsessed so every chance I get I am in the water and love heading to Lady Musgrave or Lady Elliot Islands where there is always an abundance of wildlife to photograph.
“I love photographing the marine wildlife like whales, turtles, sharks and rays because they are so important in our eco system and I have the opportunity with my camera to show people the amazing wildlife we share this planet with.”
Rebecca said the journey to becoming a citizen was special to her with the chance to live in Australia providing her many opportunities she otherwise wouldn’t have had.
“The citizenship ceremony was the final step in what has been a long and emotional journey in setting up a life for myself in Australia,” she said.
“It was such a momentous achievement and to be considered a citizen is pretty special.
“There is so much opportunity here and I wouldn't have ever been able to do the things I am doing today if I still lived in England.”
Find out more about Rebecca’s work here.
