Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 throughout 2020, the City of Rockingham has continued to host citizenship ceremonies where possible.
Citizenship Day has been held annually on September 17 since it was established by the Australian Government in 2001.
The day represents an opportunity for all Australians to reflect on the meaning and importance of citizenship, as well as the responsibilities and privileges we have as citizens.
The City hosts citizenship ceremonies each month on behalf of the Department of Home Affairs.
At these ceremonies new citizens make the Pledge of Commitment to Australia in front of the Presiding Officer, which is a role usually filled by City of Rockingham Mayor Barry Sammels.
Up to the end of August 2020 the City had hosted nine public and two private citizenship ceremonies, with a further five ceremonies cancelled due to COVID-19.
In that time, citizenship was conferred on 979 people. Last year, nearly 1,100 people became new citizens.
“The City of Rockingham is one of the fastest growing areas in Western Australia, and each month we are proud to welcome hundreds of new citizens from a variety of backgrounds to our community,” Mayor Sammels said.
“New citizens from the United Kingdom, New Zealand, South Africa, the Philippines and India are the five most popular countries our residents emigrate from.
“No matter where you’re from, Citizenship Day is a chance to take pride in our citizenship, think about what unites as Australians and to celebrate our democratic values.”
For more information on the City’s role in citizenship visit rockingham.wa.gov.au/your-city/about-us/citizenship
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