South Australia's newest citizens celebrate Australia Day
Thursday, 26 January 2012
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, today welcomed some 1200 new citizens from 76 countries as South Australia celebrates Australia Day.
Among the 43 special citizenship ceremonies across the state will be the traditional citizenship ceremony for 24 people during the lunch break of the Australia-India international cricket test match at historic Adelaide Oval.
‘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.’
Among those officially joining the Australian family at the Adelaide Oval ceremony will be Englishman and Cricket Australia public affairs manager Philip Pope.
Mr Pope gave up his life and career in the UK to marry an Australian he met in London. He is the only Englishman to have ever been presented with a World Cup medal, as an official supporting the victorious Australian team in 2007.
‘I am very excited about becoming an Aussie. I will walk out of the dressing room on Australia Day as a Pom and return as an Aussie,’ Mr Pope said.
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/cb182119.htm
Last update: Wednesday, 25 January 2012 at 23:51 AEST