New South Wales' newest citizens celebrate Australia Day
Thursday, 26 January 2012
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, today welcomed almost 3000 new citizens from 101 countries as New South Wales celebrates Australia Day.
‘Australia Day is a special time for all Australians, whether they are citizens by birth or by choice, to come together to celebrate our common bond,’ Mr Bowen said.
‘Today is a particularly special occasion for our newest citizens who are pledging their commitment to our great nation and I congratulate them on behalf of all Australians.
‘It is also a great opportunity for all of us to reflect on what it means to be an Australian citizen and celebrate the privileges and responsibilities of Australian citizenship.’
Mr Bowen will preside over a special ceremony for 30 people making the pledge at Sydney’s iconic Luna Park, including a family of doctors from India.
Mother-of-two Rashmi Machado, who has just been appointed Registrar of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Royal North Shore Hospital, will join her husband Roland and two children Ryan, aged 14, and Rhea, aged 10, in receiving their citizenship certificates from the minister.
‘I strongly believe that Australia gives a very high priority to family values. My family and I have lived in several countries. Australia is the best country in the world,’ Dr Machado said.
The Luna Park event is one of 95 special citizenship ceremonies being staged around the state, from Mullumbimby in the north to Merimbula in the south and Mudgee in the west.
The largest Australia Day ceremony in NSW will be held at Blacktown’s Bowman Hall, to be attended by 152 new citizens. The state’s biggest regional ceremony in Gosford will involve 116 new citizens, while the communities of Gunnedah and Scone will host small ceremonies for one new citizen each.
Australia Day is the most popular day of the year to become a citizen. Across Australia, around 13 700 people from 144 countries are becoming Australian citizens in 365 ceremonies as part of Australia Day celebrations.
‘More than four million people have chosen to become Australian citizens since the first citizenship ceremony in 1949, enriching our nation’s culture and traditions,’ Mr Bowen said.
‘We look forward to the contribution our newest citizens will make to the Australian community.’URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb182096.htm
Last update: Wednesday, 25 January 2012 at 23:55 AEST