Seventy Noosa residents born in 15 different countries became Australian citizens on Australia Day in an emotional and uplifting ceremony presided over by Mayor Frank Wilkie at The J Theatre.
There were cheers, hugs and tears as the new Australians took their pledge, accepted their certificates and a native plant before enjoying a morning tea of laminations and Anzac biscuits.
The Noosa citizenship ceremony in Noosa, operated in line with the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 and was one of more than 280 ceremonies held around the country on Sunday, delivering Australian citizenship to about 14,600 people from 160 countries.
In Noosa, New Zealand, UK and South Africa topped the list of countries of origin with others born in Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Brazil, US, Phillipines, Thailand, Venezuela, Vietnam, the Netherlands and Spain.
“Making the pledge is the final step in becoming Australian,” Mayor Wilkie said at the theatre packed with new citizens, family and friends.
“Citizenship is the common bond that unites all Australians. Our rich heritage stems from the contributions made by all of us. Acquiring Australian citizenship enables you to participate fully in our inclusive society, to realise your aspirations regardless of race, gender, religion, language or place of birth.
“Australian citizenship lies at the heart of a national culture premised on all round equality. Our country’s heritage is made richer by the contributions of people of many lands.
“And while we celebrate and embrace the diversity of Australian people we also aim to build a cohesive and unified nation. This country gains immeasurably by your commitment here today.”
After taking their pledge and singing a rousing rendition of the National Anthem to the accompaniment of Jazz Strings Noosa MP Sandy Bolton delivered a final address.
“It is a special day for you. For many of us our lives started as a story of immigration and what it does it brings together a really interconnected community,” she said.
“Many of you have been part of the Noosan family for some years, others are more recent but you are now part of a very Noosan family, and we are colourful, we’re very diverse, we’re very passionate, but everything we do comes from love of each other but also our community.
“Today marks your official welcome. We extend our heartfelt thanks that of all the places in the world you could have selected to call home that you actually chose us and we are deeply, deeply honoured. Being Australian and a Noosan goes beyond blood or race. We are one, united in our diversity, and as that beautiful song goes, ‘we shall dream and sing with one voice, we are Australians”.
