Western Australia's newest citizens celebrate Australia Day
Thursday, 26 January 2012
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, today welcomed some 2070 new citizens from 91 countries as Western Australia celebrates Australia Day.
There will be 60 special citizenship ceremonies today in suburbs and towns across WA, from Esperance to East Pilbara and Kwinana to Kalgoorlie.
‘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.’
Western Australia’s biggest ceremony will be held in Perth’s northern suburb of Wanneroo, where more than 400 new citizens will gather at the showgrounds to take the pledge, hear an address by leading Paralympian Priya Cooper and enjoy a traditional barbecue breakfast.
Among those making the pledge will be Wanneroo nurse Rachel Djuric, who moved here from the United Kingdom in 2004. Now married to an Australian and mother to a five-year-old boy and a three-year-old girl, she is looking forward to joining her husband and children as an Australian citizen on Australia Day.
‘Australia is a fantastic place to raise a young family. There’s the freedom of an outdoor lifestyle and it’s multicultural and accepting,’ she said.
The City of Stirling will welcome 100 new citizens at its special ceremony. Kalamunda and Joondalup will also stage large ceremonies involving some 60 conferees, while a single person will make the pledge in Carnarvon.
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/cb182127.htm
Last update: Wednesday, 25 January 2012 at 23:46 AEST