Queensland's newest citizens celebrate Australia Day
Thursday, 26 January 2012
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, today welcomed some 3850 new citizens from 114 countries as Queensland celebrates Australia Day.
Queensland is welcoming more new citizens than any other state in 73 vibrant and diverse citizenship ceremonies.
‘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.’
Despite forecast extreme weather, Brisbane City Council will host the largest ceremony with more than 1200 conferees, while more than 80 people will make the pledge on the esplanade in Cairns.
The Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire council in central Queensland is staging its first ever citizenship ceremony, for six people. In south-west Queensland, Charleville is staging a special ceremony with about 30 Vietnamese meat workers becoming new Australians.
Among those officially joining the Australian family will be Timmy and Victoria Mullins from Ireland, who arrived in Australia in 2006 after Mr Mullins completed his plumbing apprenticeship.
‘It’s a double whammy of a day for me, as I will be celebrating both my birthday and becoming a fully-fledged Aussie,’ Mr Mullins said.
‘We just love it here. The people, the weather and the laid-back attitude are great. It’s exciting to be taking this step and becoming an actual citizen.’
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/cb182104.htm
Last update: Wednesday, 25 January 2012 at 23:52 AEST