Hawkesbury City Council welcomed 29 new citizens, including three families, at this morning's Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony.
The new citizens come from 19 countries: Uganda, Estonia, Pakistan, Russia, Thailand, Brazil, Austria, Canada, United Kingdom, Philippines, Cambodia, India, Iran, Argentina, United States of America, Ireland, Malta, Kenya and New Zealand.
They are among the 18,800 people from more than 150 countries who are becoming citizens all over Australia today – one of the most popular occasions for citizenship ceremonies.
The new citizens pledged their loyalty to Australia and its people at the ceremony and heard from the General Manager of Hawkesbury City Council, Elizabeth Richardson; Mayor of the Hawkesbury, Councillor Les Sheather; Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman MP; State Member for Hawkesbury, Robyn Preston MP; Australia Day Ambassador, Kumud Merani; Superintendent Nadine Roberts of Hawkesbury Police Area Command; and RAAF Base Richmond Wing Commander and ADF Officer Andrew Burke.
Mayor Sheather said, "Taking this step today to become an Australian is a true sign of your commitment to this country – and I commend you for that. It is an exciting day, and one that should be acknowledged and celebrated."
Ms Richardson said, "We welcome each and every one of you, not only to our local community but into the wider Australian family. We hope today is a day you'll look back on with pride and fond memories."
Each new citizen received a certificate, a commemorative coin and a native plant, from Council's community nursery, as a welcome gift.
