Australian Citizenship Day

​Canterbury-Bankstown welcomed 120 new citizens at a ceremony in Campsie today, as part of Australian Citizenship Day.

The new citizens have settled in CBCity from 30 countries, including Vietnam, Iraq, Egypt, Nepal, Lebanon, and Fiji.

Mayor Khal Asfour led today’s ceremony and welcomed the new citizens.

“Today was an opportunity for all Australians, whether they are already citizens by birth or by choice, to come together to acknowledge what’s great about being Australian,” he said.

“We are very fortunate that each year we are able to welcome new Australians to our growing multi-cultural community.”

Natalia Pospeshnaya was among the residents who became new citizens today. She moved from Russia six years ago to start a new life with her husband and their daughter in Australia, and has settled in Belmore.

“This country has provided me with so many opportunities,” she said.

“Although it has been a long process, I’m happy to officially be able to call myself an Australian citizen.

“I look forward to spending the rest of my life here with my family.”

The Campsie ceremony was one of 150 hosted by councils across Australia today, with more than 8,000 people becoming Australian citizens.

Mayor Asfour said last year, 1,603 local residents became Australian citizens.

“Our diversity is what makes our community so great. We are able to live in harmony and respect each other’s differences,” he said.

“I believe there is no greater privilege than receiving Australian citizenship. It’s a life-long commitment to Australia’s values of freedom, democracy and equality.”