Sunday 17 September is Australian Citizenship Day and it was our pleasure to celebrate with 9 new citizens at a citizenship ceremony in Bairnsdale.

Our conferees came from Iran, Thailand, Philippines, Britain, South Africa, Pakistan, Fiji, Germany and Kenya.

Congratulations to our newest citizens and we're thrilled you've chosen to make East Gippsland your new home.

You can watch a recording of today's ceremony on our YouTube channel, EastGippyTV.

Check out the gallery below for a range of photos from today's ceremony.

‍

East Gippsland welcomed 17 new Australian citizens at a citizenship ceremony in Bairnsdale this afternoon.

East Gippsland Shire Council Mayor Cr Mark Reeves led proceedings, which saw conferees from seven countries take the final step in their journey to Australian citizenship.

These new citizens come from Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, Poland, Sri Lanka, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.  

Cr Reeves said he always looks forward to these events on the civic calendar and getting to meet our newest Australian citizens.

“We are pleased that they have chosen to make their permanent homes in our region – it is truly a great place to live, especially for families,” Cr Reeves said.

“To be able to meet with these new citizens and hear a little bit about their backgrounds and how they made their way to Australia is undoubtably inspiring.”

As part of the ceremony, conferees were presented with citizenship certificates, a commemorative coin, and, as a gift from Council, a native plant.

Council holds four citizenship ceremonies each year on behalf of the Department of Home Affairs. The ceremony fulfils the requirements under Australian citizenship law and provides an opportunity for Council to officially welcome its new citizens.

‍

East Gippsland welcomed nine new citizens on Thursday, May 11.

The conferees, from seven countries, including Canada, England, Philippines, Scotland, Serbia, Taiwan and Vietnam, became Australian citizens at a ceremony held in Bairnsdale and hosted by East Gippsland Shire Council.

This makes a total of 42 new citizens welcomed in East Gippsland this year. They have originated from across the world predominately from Canada, Europe and Philippines. 

Mayor Cr Mark Reeves said citizenship ceremonies are one of the highlights of his role.

“Welcoming people from all walks of life and all corners of the globe to East Gippsland changes our community for the better. I am absolutely thrilled that nine new citizens have chosen to live in our wonderful part of the world,” Cr Reeves said.  

“It was a pleasure to make them ‘official’ Aussies and for them to be joined by family and friends in marking the milestone. Some have been living in Australia, and East Gippsland, for many years while others are more recent arrivals. Either way, East Gippsland offers a great way of life and opportunities to be involved in our community.”

Council offers four citizenship ceremonies each year on behalf of the Department of Home Affairs.

Attending a citizenship ceremony is the final step in the journey to become an Australian citizen and receive a certificate of Australian Citizenship. The ceremony fulfils the requirements under Australian citizenship law and provides an opportunity for Council to officially welcome its new citizens.

The ceremony was live streamed and can be viewed on Council’s YouTube channel.

‍

East Gippsland’s newest citizens were officially welcomed at an Australia Day citizenship ceremony in Bairnsdale on Thursday 26 January 2023.

The 32 conferees from Britain, Canada, Denmark, Greece, India, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland and Switzerland formally pledged their commitment to Australia in front of a large crowd of family and friends at St Mary’s Parish Centre.

Mayor, Cr Mark Reeves said citizenship ceremonies are one of his favourite events.

“It’s a joyful occasion for families and friends, as well as the conferees, who have chosen Australia as the place they want to call home,” Cr Reeves said.

“Citizenship represents a commitment to Australia and its people, the values we share, and our common future and the ceremony is an opportunity for all Australian citizens to affirm this commitment.

“Our newest citizens represent a wide range of backgrounds and ages. Some have lived in East Gippsland or Australia for many years, while others are more recent arrivals to our great country. Congratulations to those becoming Australian citizens on making their commitment to Australia.”

Council holds four citizenship ceremonies each year. Attending a citizenship ceremony is the final step in the journey to become an Australian citizen and receive a certificate of Australian Citizenship. The ceremony fulfils the requirements under Australian citizenship law and provides an opportunity for Council to officially welcome its new citizens.

The ceremony was live streamed and can be viewed on Council’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/EastGippyTV

‍