City of Rockingham welcomes over 900 new citizens during 2020

Thursday, 17 September 2020 14:39

By Monique Welhan

Botros Attia, Therese Chauoki and David Attia with Mayor Barry Sammels at a City of Rockingham citizenship ceremony. PIC: City of Rockingham.

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

More from Local News

Dwellingup 100, Mighty Jarrah Trail Run named finalist in WA Sport Awards

The C-Wise Dwellingup 100 and Mighty Jarrah Trail Run has been announced as a finalist for the 2024 Sport West WA Sport Awards.

Young boy dies in Meadow Springs house fire

A four-year-old boy has tragically died in a house fire in Meadow Springs.

State Government to fund Coodanup boat ramp upgrade

Local skippers are set to benefit from a State Government grant that will be used to upgrade a Coodanup boat ramp.

Locals claim $1m Lotto wins

A Mandurah man and a couple from the southern suburbs have come forward to claim their $1.05 million Lotto wins.

Double demerits now in force over Christmas period

WA Police are urging drivers to do the right thing over the Christmas period and stick to the road rules, as the state grapples with its worst road toll since 2016.

Firefighters contain and control Furnissdale blaze

Firefighters have worked tirelessly to contain and control a bushfire that forced residents to evacuate in Furnissdale and Barragup.

Baldivis named as worst car park crash suburb in WA

Baldivis has topped the list when it comes to the worst suburbs in WA for car park crashes.

Mandurah man nearly misses out on $150k Lotto win

A Mandurah man has nearly missed out on a Lotto win after leaving his Super66 ticket on his fridge for almost a year.

Port Kennedy bushfire deliberately lit

A bushfire that threatened lives and home in Port Kennedy has been deemed suspicious.

City of Rockingham welcomes over 900 new citizens during 2020

Share

More from Local News

Search