Happy National Citizenship Day!

Published on 17 September 2019

There wasn’t a spare seat in the Byron Shire Council Chambers at Mullumbimby today (17 September 2019) when 26 people took the pledge to become Australian citizens. 

In front of a crowded gallery Deputy Mayor, Michael Lyon, welcomed the new citizens who hailed from 15 countries including Israel, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, France, Canada, Chile, Indonesia and Germany.

The ceremony coincided with Australian Citizenship Day, a day to reflect on the meaning and importance of Australian citizenship with the ceremony in the Byron Shire one of 150 involving more than 8,000 people held around the country.

“It is such an honour to preside over citizenship ceremonies because you can see how much it means to people and their families and friends,” Deputy Mayor Lyon said.

“It is a very moving ceremony for many people who take the pledge to respect and commit to preserving Australia’s values of freedom, democracy, equality and respect, and I welcome these new citizens with open arms to the Byron Shire.

“Their experiences and their cultures enrich us as a community and to hear and see their family and friends cheering and waving Australian flags as their names were read out was just terrific,” he said.

Byron Shire’s next citizenship ceremony will be held on 15 October 2019.

For more information contact Annie Lewis, Media and Communications Coordinator, on 6626 7320.