Whitsundays welcomes 35 new citizens

Mayor Andrew Willcox will induct new Australian citizens people from 12 countries including Jordan, UK, New Zealand, France, Germany, Poland, China, Philippines, Thailand, Africa, India, and South Africa.

Mayor Willcox said the ceremony was an opportunity for all Australians, whether they are citizens by birth or by choice, to come together to acknowledge what’s great about being Australian.

“There is no greater privilege than citizenship of our great country,” he said.

“It’s a life-long commitment to Australia’s values of freedom, democracy, equality and respect. “We are a thriving multicultural community,” Mayor Willcox said.

This year the country will welcome the largest number of new citizens nationally since the inaugural Australian Citizenship Day in 2001.

The Department of Home Affairs and local councils will be hosting 150 ceremonies across the country with more than 8000 people expected to become Australian citizens as part of this special occasion.

Australian Citizenship Day provides an occasion for individuals, schools, community groups and organisations to reflect on the values of Australian citizenship and the contributions of citizens to our local communities.