New Hawkesbury citizens were welcomed at a special citizenship ceremony at Richmond’s Regent Theatre on Thursday evening as the community marked Australian Citizenship Day.
The September 17 ceremony provided a significant setting for local residents to make the Australian Citizenship Pledge and formally become Australian citizens.
Australian Citizenship Day is observed nationally each year, although it is not a public holiday. It is marked through citizenship ceremonies, affirmation ceremonies and community activities.
The Department of Home Affairs says the occasion encourages Australians whether citizens by birth or by choice to reflect on the meaning, privileges and responsibilities of citizenship.
Australian Citizenship Day was first celebrated in 2001 following a recommendation by the Australian Citizenship Council.
The idea originated with the 1999 National Schools Constitutional Convention, which proposed establishing a day on which all Australians could celebrate their citizenship.
September 17 was selected because it marks the anniversary of the Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948 being renamed the Australian Citizenship Act in 1973.
That change reflected the development of a distinct Australian citizenship. Before the original legislation took effect in 1949, Australians were generally legally regarded as British subjects rather than Australian citizens.
More than six million people have become Australian citizens since 1949, according to Home Affairs.
Citizenship ceremonies are usually conducted by local councils on behalf of the Australian Government. Candidates make the Australian Citizenship Pledge, committing their loyalty to Australia and its people and promising to share the country’s democratic beliefs, respect its rights and liberties, and uphold and obey its laws.
The evening’s ceremony at the Regent Theatre recognised people from different countries and cultures who have chosen to make the Hawkesbury their home.
Citizenship brings rights, including the ability to vote, stand for public office, obtain an Australian passport and seek assistance from Australian diplomatic representatives overseas.
It also carries responsibilities, such as obeying the law, voting in elections, serving on a jury when called and defending Australia should the need arise.
Active citizenship can also be expressed closer to home by volunteering, joining community organisations, participating in public consultations, supporting neighbours and holding elected representatives and public institutions to account.
The occasion has particular meaning in a district shaped by deep history and continuing change. The Hawkesbury is on Dharug and Darkinjung Country, and any consideration of Australian identity must recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples belong to the world’s oldest continuing cultures.
New citizens do not leave their cultures behind when taking the pledge. Their languages, experiences, traditions and skills become part of the Hawkesbury community and Australia’s evolving national story.
Home Affairs identifies freedom and dignity, freedom of religion and speech, the rule of law, parliamentary democracy, equality of opportunity, mutual respect, tolerance, compassion and a “fair go” as central Australian values.
These values are tested with applicants first needing to be a lawful Australian Permanent Resident for 4 years before you apply, then you need to pass the Citizenship Test before being awarded citizenship status. Readers can review this test Department of Home Affairs Citizenship Practice Test Site. All questions are taken entirely from the "Our Common Bond" resource booklet, which you can read or download on the Home Affairs Our Common Bond Page.
For those who took the pledge at the Regent Theatre, Citizenship Day will mark the end of one journey and the beginning of another as full participants in the civic, cultural and democratic life of the Hawkesbury.
Note: The Gazette would like the name of the unnamed person holding an Australian Citizenship certificate with Mayor Cr Mary Lyons-Buckett. We would also like a photo with better image resolution. If readers can assist with either we would be grateful. Email: Editor@Hawkesburygazette.com
