Ms Fetzer was born and raised in Germany.

"It was a culture shock," she said.

"The people were so caring and friendly.

"Germany is too crowded, people are highly strung and you don't get that warmth and friendliness."

Working in computer science at a car company back in Germany she knew she wasn't happy.

So a couple of years after her initial visit she took a chance and moved to Sydney.

Initially Ms Fetzer worked as a "checkout chick" before retraining as a high school maths teacher.

Her first teaching job was in the tiny farming town of Tullibigeal, near Lake Cargelligo, where she taught for almost four years.

It's the warmth of the people that she remembers.

"My car broke down in the middle of nowhere with all these frozen goods," she recalls.

"The first car stopped, a nearby farmer stored my goods."

But it's her life in the Camden Haven that has brought her the most joy.

It was "potluck" that she ended up in the region.

"I rang up the principal and asked what the area was like," Ms Fetzer said.

"Call it Camden Heaven, you hit the jackpot," Camden Haven High principal Margaret Hutchison is said to have exclaimed.

And for Ms Fetzer it was an apt description. She still can't believe her luck.

"It is such a relaxed community, the nature is beautiful," she said.

"I live on Camden Head surrounded by the national park and river."

She spends her weekends kayaking, bushwalking and walking her two beloved schnauzers.

Her job brings her enormous satisfaction.

"You can inspire kids," she enthuses.

"When I worked for the car company in Germany I made good money but it was stressful.

"I got a stomach ulcer, one my supervisors died in his office from a heart attack because it was so stressful.

"But as a teacher you make a difference and it is not just about teaching it is about making good citizens out of our kids as well."

Some of her students were at the Australia Day ceremony on Sunday, January 26, when Ms Fetzer became an Australian citizen.

One of those students, Blake Smythe, was full of praise for his former teacher.

Mr Smythe, who hopes to study architecture in Newcastle this year, described Ms Stetzer as the "greatest teacher I have had".

"I didn't like maths before," he explained.

"She makes you feel comfortable and she teaches you the work."

A new citizen who has already contributed so much to our nation.

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