Isaac Regional Council welcomed five new citizens last Thursday at a special ceremony held at Clermont Council Chambers.
Rogelio Biona and Mary Eseo from the Philippines, Amy Duggan from England, Himani Kansara from India and Rosemary Kulu from Papua New Guinea took their Australian citizenship pledges in front of friends and family.
Mayor Anne Baker, Cr Greg Austen and Cr Lyn Jones with Isaac Regional Council CEO Gary Stevenson presented the new citizens with their certificates and an Australian Citizenship coin.
During the ceremony Mayor Baker outlined the duties and responsibilities of the new citizens as they took a pledge to uphold Australian values.
"I am proud to be authorised as a person who may conduct this citizenship ceremony on behalf of the Commonwealth of Australia. This is a very significant honour in the role of a Mayor," Mayor Baker said.
"Our ceremony recognises that citizenship is a common bond made meaningful because it embraces an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of all people in a public recognition of your commitment to Australia and your family."
Mayor Baker said that choosing to embrace Australian values publicly was a substantial decision made by the new citizens.
"Our new citizens are ABCs; Australians by choice. This is not something most Australians get to choose and makes your decision much more special," Mayor Baker said.
"The importance of holding this ceremony is to celebrate our multiculturalism, which makes us more aware and resilient as a community.
"In the words of our Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, The Hon David Coleman, 'it's now your responsibility to join us in building an even stronger nation'."
Image 1: L to r - Rogelio M Biona Jr, Amy Duggan, Mayor Anne Baker, Crystal Eseo, Rosemary Kulu, Cr Greg Austin, Himani P Kansara and Cr Lyn Jones
