Scenic Rim welcomes its newest Australians ahead of Citizenship Day

Eighteen members of the Scenic Rim community became the region's newest Australians yesterday in an early celebration of Citizenship Day on Sunday 17 September.

The ceremony at The Centre Beaudesert represented the final step in the journey towards citizenship for residents from across the Scenic Rim who have come from 12 nations - the United Kingdom, Malaysia, the United States, Czechoslovakia, Wales, Columbia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Chile, Tonga and Indonesia - to make Australia their home.

Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said Australian Citizenship Day, first celebrated in 2001, was an opportunity for everyone to reflect on the responsibilities and privileges of living in one of the world's most culturally diverse nations.

"Recently released census statistics have shown that half of all Australians were born overseas or have a parent who was, and our region has a proud history of welcoming people from all over the world," he said.

"In 2021, more than 6,450 people who were living in our region were born overseas, eight per cent of whom had arrived in Australia within the previous five years.

"In January this year we welcomed as Australian citizens 23 Scenic Rim residents from 10 nations and in June another 15 from nine countries pledged their allegiance to Australia and its people."

Since 2018, the Scenic Rim has welcomed new citizens from nations as diverse as South Korea, Belgium, Canada, England, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, the Philippines, the Russian Federation, Scotland, Wales, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand, the United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Romania, Zimbabwe, Turkey, Poland, New Caledonia, Hungary, Argentina, Brazil, China, Fiji, Greece, Israel, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Hong Kong, Colombia, Chile, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Egypt and Mexico.

"Whatever our origins, our Australian citizenship is the common bond which unites us all," Mayor Christensen said.

"We believe in a society in which everyone is equal, regardless of their gender, faith, sexual orientation, age, ability, race, national or ethnic origin.

"Ours is the land of the fair go, in which respect and compassion underpin our care for each other and our willingness to reach out to those around us in times of need.

"By becoming an Australian citizen, you make a commitment to these values, and to contribute to our evolving Australian story."

The Scenic Rim's newest Australians are as follows: