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New citizens welcomed on National Citizenship DayThirteen Latrobe City residents became citizens of Australia at a ceremony held at in the Council Chamber at Traralgon last Friday. By Latrobe Shire Council - 24th September 2004 - Back to News The ceremony was held to celebrate Australia’s National Citizenship Day and was one of a number of events held across the country which included special Citizenship ceremonies and Affirmation ceremonies.
The citizen’s former homes were in the UK, Malta, the Philippines and the USSR.
Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Darrell White, who accepted each new citizen’s pledge and presented them with their Citizenship Certificate, congratulated each on their commitment to Australia.
Cr White said becoming an Australian Citizen involved a serious commitment, but it was an important move in embracing an adopted country and sharing in its future.
"Citizenship carries with it substantive legal rights such as the right to vote in elections, to stand for Parliament, work in the public service, or serve in the armed forces. Citizenship also entitles you to hold an Australian passport and leave and re-enter the country without a resident return visa, Cr White said.
"With privileges come responsibilities. Above all, citizens commit to uphold Australia’s core civic values, accepting the basic structures and principles of Australian society. There is a commitment to the rule of law, tolerance, equality of opportunity, parliamentary democracy, and freedom of speech and religion.
"We are reminded that all of us here today are either migrants ourselves, or descended from new settlers merely one, two or three generations ago. In the same way that today’s new Australian citizens feel a surge of pride in the commitment they have made towards Australia; our parents, grandparents or great-grandparents expressed great pride, commitment and enthusiasm for their newly adopted country," Cr White added.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com

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