Fifteen people become Australian citizens at Gunnedah ceremony

The Gunnedah shire officially claimed 15 more Australian citizens on Wednesday at a ceremony held at The Civic.

It was conducted ahead of Australian Citizenship Day on Tuesday, September 17.

Gunnedah Shire mayor Jamie Chaffey introduced each individual, hailing from Fiji, the Philippines, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Pakistan and South Africa, before they took their oath or affirmation.

“Australian citizenship is a common bond involving reciprocal rights and obligations, uniting all Australians while respecting their diversity,” Cr Chaffey said.

Joining the ceremony was deputy mayor Rob Hooke, Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson and Member for Parkes Mark Coulton.

Gunnedah’s Citizen of the Year Marie Hobson and Young Citizen of the Year Lewis Donaldson were invited to speak.

“I imagine it would not have been an easy decision to make but as a born and bred Aussie, I can say you are in the best country in the world and a rather special country town,” Mrs Hobson said.

She finished her speech by accepting the new citizens on behalf of everyone.

“Wherever you come from, we welcome you, and we are proud to call you Australians,” she said.