Dad travels around world to surprise daughter after she finally earns Australian citizenship after 17 years

Jaclyn Smith first came to Australia in 2007 and quickly decided she wanted to spend her life here.

For the next 17 years she faced countless hurdles as she worked to secure her spot in the country, until finally last Tuesday, she was presented her Australian citizenship at a ceremony in Waroona.

The celebration drew in Ms Smith’s friends from across the region to celebrate the occasion, though one special guest made the journey across the globe.

Ms Smith’s father Harry Smith made the journey from Scotland in a secret to surprise his daughter on the big day.

Having only left Australia in January this year, Mr Smith was not planning to return for another two years to see his daughter and granddaughter Gracey-Jean.

However, when he heard Jaclyn would finally be earning her citizenship, he made the decision to come back early to surprise her.

“It was such a special day for her,” he said.

Mr Smith said he knew she would have many more birthdays he would have to miss, but this event was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Arriving in Perth on July 6, Ms Smith’s partner Geoff Curtis and her daughter Gracey-Jean met Mr Smith in secret to take him back to Waroona.

Once home, Mr Curtis wanted to lure Ms Smith outside so he told her that Gracey-Jean wanted her mother outside.

When Ms Smith got to the car, she said was worried as she couldn’t find her daughter, and her partner said there was someone at the end of the driveway.

Emerging from the darkness, Mr Smith walked with his granddaughter towards them as a speaker played Scotland the Brave on bagpipes.

“I could hear the bagpipes and my partner was saying, there’s somebody there, but I was looking for Gracey,” she said.

Ms Smith said the surprise was “very emotional”.

Arriving with a small army to her citizenship ceremony, Ms Smith said she thinks she surprised the shire with how many of her friends and family came to support her.

Mr Smith said he knew it was something she had always wanted.

He said he was happy to have the chance to be there to support his daughter on such a special day.