Wollongong’s Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony hosted by Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery included many messages.
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Aunty Bev Armer gave the Country and said she felt very proud to represent the Indigenous community in welcoming the city’s newest Australian citizens.
“I wish you the best in your new life. This is a great opportunity for all of us to take the time together to pause and reflect on what it means to be an Australian citizen today in this complex and challenging world and what this might ask of all of us.”
Aunty Armer encouraged everyone to commit to building an Australian community that is truly equal and including of all citizens. She described the Illawarra as a rich and lucky community with many opportunities to grow and develop by learning from each other, appreciating and respecting differences, recognising common values and aspirations and working together to achieve equality, take up opportunities and step forward together.
Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery described it as a day to congratulate and welcome our newest citizens and everyone’s determination to make Australia an even better place for future generations. Nationally 16,000 people from around 150 countries became citizens at 400 ceremonies. In Wollongong there were 90 candidates from 27 different countries.
“We are pleased that you have chosen Wollongong..to live,” Cr Bradbery said.
Member for Cunningham Sharon Bird and Member for Throsby Stephen Jones noted a new record after meeting someone who had waited 64 years to become a citizen. “We don’t mind how long it takes you to make the decision..we are just really pleased..that you are joining us as citizens today. And we look forward to your contributions to our community,” Ms Bird said.
Mr Jones said the previous record of people he had met on Australia Day was 63.
Crystal Yim, 30, arrived from Hong Kong 13 years ago to attend high school in Tasmania, then moved to Perth before attending the University of Wollongong to study nutrition and graduates this year. “I love Australia very much. The lifestyle is relaxing. I want to spend the rest of my life here.”
Wollongong Australia Day Ambassador Scott Radburn said “It is one of the greatest honours I have ever had”.
He started with a song and ended with a poem he wrote that covered everything from spreading vegemite to nicknames. “This is a day for recommitting together to make our nation an even better place. Oh and you know you are an Aussie when you believe Stubbies can be either worn or drunk,” he said.
Watch a recording of the Wollongong Harmony Chorus performing during the citizenship ceremony at the Wollongong Town Hall https://www.facebook.com/greg.ellis.716/videos/10153909724221692/?theater
