SCENIC RIM WELCOMES RECORD NUMBER OF NEW AUSSIES
The Scenic Rim has welcomed a record number of new Australians who participated in a special Australia Day citizenship ceremony at The Centre Beaudesert today.
Mayor Greg Christensen officiated at the ceremony where 57 Scenic Rim residents from 17 countries and ranging in age from five to 74 years pledged their loyalty to Australia and its people and its democratic beliefs, laws, rights and liberties.
"Here, this afternoon, we feel honoured to share the final part of your journey to becoming an Australian citizen," he said.
"Today you are not only becoming a citizen of a great country but also formally part of the greatest community in Australia, right here in the Scenic Rim.
"Our communities are renowned for being friendly and inclusive and celebrating culture and diversity.
"It is exciting to have the largest single group of new Australians taking part in a citizenship ceremony in the life of Scenic Rim Regional Council.
"On behalf of people across our Scenic Rim communities, I congratulate you all on becoming Australian citizens and hope you have a happy and successful future here in our very special part of the world."
The Scenic Rim's newest Australians join the more than 4.5 million people from around the globe who have pledged to become Australian citizens since 26 January 1949, when the Nationality and Citizenship Act introduced a unique national identity for Australians.
More than half of the Scenic Rim's 57 new Australians live at Tamborine Mountain or Tamborine.
Across the region, the new citizens have come from the United Kingdom, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Italy, India, Denmark, Kenya, the Philippines, Hungary, the United States, Zimbabwe, Poland, Scotland, South Africa, the Republic of Ireland, the Russian Federation and New Caledonia.
Becoming an Australian citizen does not mean turning your back on your country of origin," Cr Christensen said.
"It does not mean you have to forget the language of the country or its customs or culture. We hope all our new citizens, who originate from so many different countries, share their range of customs and culture so we can all develop a greater appreciation of the benefits diversity
brings to our communities."