Over 100 People Joined The Australian Family On Citizenship Day

20 Sep 2013

On 17th September, the National Arboretum hosted Canberra’s newest Australian citizens. As part of Australia Citizenship Day celebrations, more than 100 people from 37 countries joined the Australian family.

Her Excellency the Honorable Quentin Bryce AC CVO, the Governor-General, presided over the ceremony, with new citizens pledging their commitment to the privileges and responsibilities of living in the country.

A DIAC (Department of Immigration and Citizenship) spokesman said that this Day is an opportunity for all Australians to reflect on their shared values and common future.

He said that this day, they celebrate their democratic values, respect and equality for each other, and think about what unites all Australians and stated that they encourage anyone who is eligible to formally become a part of their community as Australian citizens.

Cullen family was among the group at the National Arboretum who were originally from England’s Hertfordshire. Andrew and Marie-Louise Cullen spoke of their excitement as they, and their five children, prepared to officially become “Aussies” after living in Australia for more than four years.

Mr. Cullen said that for them, becoming Australian citizens means accepting Australia as their home, accepting the Australian way of life as something they buy into, and providing a settled environment for their children where they feel part of the country that they will probably go on and live the rest of their lives in.

He also said that it is an exciting step in their lives and basically formalizing that desire within themselves to be part of Australia.

The ceremony in Canberra was one of many around the country as some 2,250 people from 92 countries became Australian citizens.

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