Australian Citizenship Day 2009

Senator Chris Evans presents Edward Wightman with his citizenship certificate.

On the 17th of September 2009, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, presided over a special citizenship ceremony at the Great Hall in Parliament House, Canberra. In attendance were community leaders and schoolchildren including those from Walford Anglican School, Bankstown Public School and Beechwood Public School. The ceremony at the Great Hall was part of a number of citizenship ceremonies and events held across the nation to celebrate Australian Citizenship Day.

Fifteen conferees from countries including Rwanda, United Kingdom, Fiji and New Zealand became Australian citizens. Joining them was Edward Wightman who, after 59 years of making Australia his home, made it official at the ceremony. ‘I like the country. This is home to me. Home is not where I came from – home is here.’

In Sydney, more than 100 people from over 35 countries became Australian citizens at a ceremony held at the Opera House. Sharon Zhai, a Chinese-born opera singer, was among the conferees and led the singing of the Australian national anthem during the ceremony. ‘I have been in Australia for six years and I feel very, very involved with this Australian life and I’d love to live here forever,’ said Ms Zhai.

In Western Australia, 12 people from six countries became Australian citizens. Among the new citizens was British-born filmmaker Stephen Oliver, whose recent documentary about Australian icon, Skippy the bush kangaroo, was aired on ABC television on the same day as his citizenship ceremony. Asked about his citizenship ceremony, Mr Oliver commented, ‘It’s a big Aussie day for me!’

In Hobart, an Australian Citizenship Day ceremony was held at Government House where one of the first Australian citizens from a ceremony in 1949, Polish ex-servicemen Marian Jackiewicz, reaffirmed his loyalty to Australia in an Australian citizenship affirmation.

Stephen Oliver proudly shows off his Aussie socks after becoming an Australian citizen.

In Adelaide, 25 conferees became Australian citizens at a ceremony held at the Adelaide Zoo. They are among 480 people who became citizens in South Australia at 13 ceremonies including Tee Tree Gully, Walkerville, Victor Harbour, Mount Barker and Adelaide Hills.

Some 600 people became Australians at the Brisbane City Council while a further 100 people became citizens across Queensland on the day.

The Darwin Trailer Boat Club hosted one of Darwin’s key ceremonies, where 60 people became citizens on citizenship day.

Across Australia, more than 4500 people became Australian citizens as part of the Citizenship Day celebrations.
‘Australian Citizenship Day provides an opportunity for all Australians to celebrate being part of such a wonderful country,’ said Senator Chris Evans.
‘I congratulate all of Australian’s newest citizens.’

See: Australian Citizenship Day celebrations 2009 photo gallery