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New Citizens welcomed on National Citizenship Day

Ten Latrobe City residents became citizens of Australia at a ceremony held at Kernot Hall on Monday. The ceremony was held to celebrate Australia’s inaugural National Citizenship Day.

By Latrobe City Council - 21st September 2001 - Back to News

Ten Latrobe City residents became citizens of Australia at a ceremony held at Kernot Hall on Monday. The ceremony was held to celebrate Australia’s inaugural National Citizenship Day.

The ceremony, conducted by Latrobe City Council in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Morwell and assisted by the Morwell East Scout Group, was one of a number of events held across the country which included special Citizenship ceremonies and affirmation ceremonies.

Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Brendan Jenkins, who accepted each new citizen’s pledge and presented them with their Citizenship Certificate, congratulated each on their commitment to Australia.

Each new citizen was also welcomed by the President of the Rotary Club of Morwell, Jeff Coleman, and presented with a native tree and a copy of Dorothea MacKellar’s poem ‘ My Country’. Each also received a Rotary Club bookmark featuring ‘Advance Australia Fair’ and Rotary’s 4-way test, and a commemorative glass.

Cr Jenkins 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 Jenkins 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.

"In acknowledging the traditional owners of this region, the Briakaulung People, 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 Jenkins added.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: latrobecity@gippslander.com

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