ASK the Peak family if Hull, over the other side of the world, bears any similarities to Tamborine and they’ll tell you the two places are obviously nothing alike.
But, like many people who’ve called more than one country home, they speak with great fondness of both places.
Tamborine has been the Peak family’s home since December 2020, and they became Australian citizens at a ceremony in Beaudesert on June 18, 2025.
They ended up in Tamborine after moving to the Gold Coast in 2002 after leaving the historic port city of Hull, Yorkshire, for New Zealand in 1995.
Hull (which Yorkshire people pronounce like ‘Pull’ but with an ‘H’) was heavily bombed in the Second World War, is known as a city of culture and is famous for football (soccer) club Hull City.
Jan and Colin Peak live at Tamborine with their two youngest sons Chris and Johnathan and their eldest son Daniel lives in Brisbane.
“When we emigrated here, we were always on the Gold Coast, in Ormeau then Willowvale and we moved to Tamborine for the lifestyle,” Jan said.
“We’ve got great neighbours, it’s nice and quiet, we’ve got the rainforest nearby.”
The family heads up Tamborine Mountain regularly to go walking and visit the restaurants and they love that dogs are welcome at many establishments.
“Bailey’s Irish Bar, it used to be Clancy’s, is our favourite. It’s first class,” said Colin.
A big occasion
The Peak family were among 25 Scenic Rim residents to become Australian Citizens at the June 18 ceremony.
New citizens also hailed from places like New Zealand, Lithuania, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Phillipines, Switzerland, Finland, the Republic of Ireland, Germany and South Africa.
These new citizens are spread across the Scenic Rim living on Tamborine Mountain and in Tamborine, Kerry, Beaudesert, Cainbable, Lamington, Beechmont, Gleneagle, Benobble and Templin.
Scenic Rim Mayor Tom Sharp said the event marked the final step in the journey to Australian citizenship for people from across the globe.
“Becoming an Australian citizen is a huge milestone and, for many, it’s an emotional and fulfilling experience,” he said.
“Some of our new citizens may have been here for a long time and others for only a short while and becoming an Australian citizen means something different for everyone.
“The Scenic Rim has a strong tradition of welcoming people from all backgrounds, with new citizens from more than 55 countries choosing to settle in the region since 2018.”
Cr Sharp relayed a message from the Minister for Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Tony Burke.
“Australia welcomes you as a full member of one of the most diverse nations on earth where our citizenship is a bond which unites us all,” said Mr Burke.
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