New Citizens Celebrate Australia Day As Fair Dinkum Aussies

Australia Day 2019 will have special significance for nine Scenic Rim residents who will celebrate the country's national day as fair dinkum Aussies.

In a special ceremony celebrating 70 years since the birth of Australian citizenship, nine migrants pledged their loyalty to Australia and its people at The Centre Beaudesert following the 2019 Australia Day Awards last night.

Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said that since Australia Day 1949, when legislation brought the concept of Australian citizenship into being, more than 4.5 million people from around the world had pledged to become Australian citizens.

"The history and culture of Australia has been forged over thousands of years, from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to those who have come from every compass point around the globe," he said.

"We have another nine people standing before us to pledge their loyalty to our country and its people, our democratic beliefs, our laws, our rights and our liberties."

The Scenic Rim's newest citizens have come to Australia from the United Kingdom, the Philippines, Ireland, Thailand, the Czech Republic, and New Zealand.

"We feel honoured in helping you complete the journey from migrant to Australian citizen," Cr Christensen said.

"As Mayor, I'm sure I can say that you are not only becoming a citizen of a great country but also part of the greatest community in Australia here in the Scenic Rim."

To mark the 70th anniversary of Australian citizenship, the Scenic Rim's newest Australians were presented with a special commemorative coin.

"It was only on Australia Day,1949, that the concept of Australian citizenship came into being, when the Nationality and Citizenship Act of 1948 took effect, introducing a unique national identity for Australians beyond their previous status as British subjects," Cr Christensen said.

The Scenic Rim's newest Australians are: