East Gippsland welcomes new citizens

East Gippsland Shire Council welcomed nine new Australian Citizens at a Citizenship Ceremony held on Monday, September 17.

Candidates hailed from New Zealand, the United States, Philippines, South Africa, India and, in what is believed to be a first for East Gippsland, Kazakhstan.

The ceremony coincided with Australian Citizenship Day. First held in 2001, September 17 is the anniversary of the renaming of the Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948 to the Australian Citizenship Act 1948.

Mayor Cr Joe Rettino said Australian Citizen Day is day to reflect on being Australian.

“It is a day to recognise the contributions of inspiring citizens in our community. Citizenship is the bond that unites all Australians, regardless of whether we were born in Australia or have decided to make Australia our home,” Cr Rettino said.

The Citizenship Ceremony is the last step to becoming an Australian Citizen.

Monday’s ceremony was well attended by family and friends of the new citizens, and was also live streamed. A recording of the ceremony is available on council’s YouTube channel, EastGippyTV.

Helping Laarni Brooks of the Philippines (second right) celebrate becoming an Australian Citizen were Christine Canete, Evelyn Calabro, Elisa Donnelly, and Amelia Kenny.

Flyura Cross pictured with Mayor Cr Joe Rettino. Flyura is believed to be the first person from Kazakhstan to take part in an East Gippsland Shire Council Citizenship Ceremony.