Council Hosting Online Citizenship Ceremonies

Wyndham City Council is delighted to announce that we will soon be hosting online Australian Citizenship Ceremonies for the first time in our history.

Wyndham Mayor Cr Josh Gilligan said participants would pledge their commitment to Australia during the ceremonies – the final step in the process of becoming an Australian citizen.

“I’m so pleased Council will once more help many of our residents achieve their dreams of becoming Australian citizens,” Cr Gilligan said.

“I’m committing to a target of processing 500 Wyndham prospective citizens between now and the end of my Mayoral term to ensure residents in our community are not disadvantaged by the COVID-19 delay in becoming an Australian Citizen.”

“Almost half of Wyndham’s residents were born overseas, with many migrating to Australia and making Wyndham their home.”

“These ceremonies are a proud moment for these residents, after which they can fully participate in our great democratic society by having their vote counted. This in turn gives them a say in how the state and federal governments spend their money.”

“Each ceremony will be held on an individual basis, between myself as presiding officer and the conferee, except for family members, who can be conferred in a single ceremony.”

“The ceremonies will take place over an easy-to-navigate and secure platform Council has been using for all of its online meetings.”

“And while the ceremonies might be taking place in a different format, they will still be very special for everyone involved.”

Ceremonies will take place from the end of July until Tuesday 22nd September, when Council’s caretaker period kicks in for the 2020 Council election.

Wyndham City’s events team will be contacting all eligible participants in coming weeks, based off a list provided to Council by the Department of Home Affairs.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, face-to-face ceremonies are not being offered at present, until further notice.

/Public Release. View in full here.