Sixteen Kempsey residents have become Australia’s newest citizens at the Australia Day Citizenship and Awards Ceremony held at the Slim Dusty Centre in Kempsey on Thursday.
In becoming Australians, the candidates took their pledges and oath to embrace the values that make Australia such a strong country. In doing so, they made a public commitment to Australia and accepting the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship.
The event was jointly funded by Council and the NSW Government through the Reconnecting Regional New South Wales Grant.
Leo Hauville, Mayor of Kempsey Shire Council, who presided over the ceremony, said the new citizens in Kempsey come from 11 different countries and join thousands of other Australians celebrating their citizenship.
“Our new citizens will contribute their skills and cultural diversity to the Kempsey Shire and enrich our community through their hard work and participation in public life,” said Cr Hauville.
“Today, we congratulate and welcome you all to be part of the story of Australia, the land of a fair go for everyone. We look forward to seeing you involved in community life and being active citizens in the Kempsey Shire.”
Joining the new citizens at the event were family and friends, Australia Day Ambassador Jolene Anderson, Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan, many members of the community and Uncle Bob Smith, who gave a Welcome to Country.
Each year the shire’s largest citizenship ceremony takes place at Council’s Australia Day event.
While this year’s event took place on 26 January, in December the Federal Government removed its requirement for Councils to hold a citizenship ceremony on this date.
As such Council consulted with community members in attendance at the event on their preference for the timing of future events, and have opened this consultation up to the wider community online at www.ksc.pub/awardsdate.
