Special citizenship ceremony to mark Albert Hall's 80th
Monday, 10 March 2008
Eighty people from 29 countries will become Australian citizens at a special ceremony in Canberra today to mark the 80th anniversary of the historic Albert Hall, where Australia's first citizenship ceremony was conducted in 1949.
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, will preside over the ceremony at Albert Hall, which staged numerous citizenship ceremonies and events during the 1950s and 1960s.
‘It is an honour for me to be part of this special ceremony at such a significant landmark in our nation's capital city,’ Senator Evans said.
‘Making the citizenship pledge is an important step in marking the beginning of life as an Australian citizen.
‘It shows commitment and loyalty to our country and a desire to share in a common future.’
More than four million people have become Australian citizens since the first seven people became citizens at Albert Hall in 1949.
The 80 people making the pledge today come from countries including Bolivia, Chile, Fiji, Sudan, Iraq, Switzerland and the United States.
‘Today's new citizens become part of the Australian community and the Australian experience just as those original seven Australian citizens did almost 60 years ago,’ Senator Evans said.
‘They share the same freedoms, responsibilities and privileges as Australian-born citizens.
‘Australia has been enriched by the diverse cultures and traditions of people who have come here from more than 200 countries.
‘The common bond that unites us all is citizenship.’
The citizenship ceremony will take place at 3.30pm, Albert Hall, Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla.
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/media/media-releases/2008/ce08022.htm
Last update: 13 August 2008 at 17:14 AEST