Kingston to welcome its newest Aussies via virtual citizenship ceremonies
For the first time, Kingston will host its Australian citizenship ceremonies online due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Twelve soon-to-be citizens from six different countries will take part in the one-on-one ceremonies with Kingston Mayor Georgina Oxley, on Thursday 18 June.
Cr Oxley said she was excited to be able to continue to deliver citizenship ceremonies albeit a little differently than usual.
“Becoming an Australian Citizen is such an important and special moment for these families and we want to make sure they don’t have to wait any longer to be able to call themselves an Aussie,” Cr Oxley said.
“I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with each of these twelve Kingston residents and witness them take the pledge of Australian citizenship.”
The new citizens who will take part in Thursday’s virtual ceremonies come from 6 different countries, including India, China, USA, Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom and have been waiting since November to pledge their loyalty to their new country.
“These families were due to take part in a ceremony in March but due to the COVID-19 pandemic unfortunately we had to postpone all ceremonies,” said Cr Oxley. “It’s fantastic that the Department of Home Affairs has given us and these families the option to take part in an online ceremony.”
Kingston’s new citizens will receive their Australian Citizenship Certificates in the mail after the ceremony.
Choosing to become a citizen via an online ceremony is optional, if new citizens would prefer to wait until they can attend a ceremony in person they have that option too.
Anyone awaiting citizenship can speak to the Department of Home Affairs on 131 880 to discuss their position on the waitlist.
