Australia Day - Citizenship ceremony
Citizenship ceremonies are an important part of Australia Day celebrations.
The first Australian citizenship ceremony took place in February 1949 at Albert Hall in Canberra, where seven conferees represented the six states and the Australian Capital Territory.
On Australia Day 2008, 115 candidates from 38 countries were conferred Australian citizenship by the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in Canberra. The citizenship ceremony was preceded by ‘Welcome to Country’ by Matilda House and followed by an Australian Citizenship Affirmation ceremony led by the Governor General.
Corsa Nikolic expresses her sheer joy on becoming an Australian citizen
© Canberra Times, Graham Tidy photographer
Matilda House celebrates Indigenous culture at the citizenship ceremony in Commonwealth Park.
2008 Local Hero, Jonathon Welch leads ceremony participants in singing the National Anthem.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd congratulates Jansen Rafael Alagao on becoming an Australian citizen.
Daruka Adut Kuer, partner Joseph Walbiar and baby Kuany Ador with the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd after receiving their citizenship certificates.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd with new Australian citizens Masudur Rahman, Falguni Biswas and their family
Olivia-Jade Lee shows her Australian citizenship certificate.