Four new citizens take the pledge

The Barkly region is now home to four new Aussies following an Australian Citizenship Ceremony this week.

Posted: Tuesday, 24 July 2018

Barkly Regional Council Mayor Steve Edgington officially swore in Brian Curran, Mark Keyworth, Renjith Kollakkombil Jose and Derek Zhu as Australian citizens in front of family, friends and peers in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, 24 July.

“I am proud to formally welcome our new Australian citizens, and welcome them all to be part of the Barkly community,” the Mayor said.

Richard James presented the Welcome to Country with Councillors Kris Civitarese and Sid Vashist in attendance to celebrate this special occasion.

Cr Jeffrey McLaughlin read the citizenship message on behalf of the Minister for Immigration Peter Dutton and after the official proceedings brought laughter to everyone with a surprise gift – a pair of thongs – for each new Aussie.

The four new Aussies came from all corners of the globe – Ireland, England, India and China – before each made the Barkly their home. Brian, Renjith and Derek all live and work in Tennant Creek with Mark based in Elliott.

In the Mayor’s introduction to all four new citizens, he said making the Australian Citizenship Pledge was the final step in their migration story.

“By becoming an Australian citizen, you are joining our unique national community,” he told them. “Our country has been built on the combined contributions of our Indigenous people and those who came later from all over the world.

“Our stability, our culture and our laws have been shaped by our history. By joining the Australian community you will inherit this history and you will be in a position to contribute to it. Congratulations and welcome.”