Armidale Dumaresq Council welcomed ten new Australians after Mayor Peter Ducat conducted a citizenship ceremony earlier this month.
Following various stages of application, which several of the participants said had taken a long time, the day had finally come when they could call themselves Australians.
Cr Ducat said he was honoured to welcome people originating from various countries, including Iceland to Thailand, as the latest Australians. Furthermore, the mayor welcomed these citizens to the city of Armidale and the surrounding area.
An important stage of the ceremony involves applicants making a public declaration to accept Australian citizenship and all that that entails, including upholding the values, principles, privileges and responsibilities of being Australian.
After declaring the oath, the new citizens received their certificates and then sang the national anthem. Together with guests and Council staff, a sizeable gathering then enjoyed refreshments and celebrated the citizens’ new status.
