17 January 2011

Strathfield Council will join in regions from across Australia in welcoming our newest citizens as part of Australia Day celebrations on January 26.

45 people from countries including China, India, Iran, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, Taiwan and Burma will become Australian citizens in a special ceremony at Strathfield Park as part of Council’s Australia Day celebrations.

“Citizenship is a wonderful thing to celebrate on Australia Day, whether we are Australian by birth or by choice,” Mayor of Strathfield, Cr Tony Maroun said.

“January 26 will be an especially important day for those choosing to become Australian citizens, as they take an important step to show their commitment and loyalty to this nation and the desire to share a common future.”

The Strathfield citizenship ceremony will be one of more than 320 across every state and territory on Australia Day, with some 13 000 people scheduled to become citizens around the nation.

Strathfield Council will start its Australia Day celebrations from 8am with a free BBQ breakfast cooked by SES volunteers. Official welcomes and presentations will commence from 8.30am with the citizenship ceremony to follow. The day will also see live entertainment and children’s activities.

“The Strathfield community welcomes its newest citizens and wishes them well as they officially join the Australian community.

“I encourage all Australians, new and old, to join in Strathfield’s Australia Day events and celebrate being part of this wonderful country,” Cr Maroun said.