City Australia Day citizenship ceremony nation's biggest
Published Friday, 23rd January 2015
For the second year in a row, the City of Wanneroo will host Australia's largest citizenship ceremony, with more than 600 residents from 55 countries set to become new citizens on the iconic day.
City of Wanneroo Mayor Tracey Roberts was thrilled to learn that the City would once again host the largest ceremony in Australia.
"I am extremely proud to host this ceremony and it is not surprising that new Australians choose to live in the City of Wanneroo, we have so much to offer here, she said.
"Each year we welcome around 8000 new residents – about 22 a day and we host citizenship ceremonies every month including our iconic Australia Day citizenship ceremony.
"I believe our diversity is part of what makes us special and almost 40 per cent of our population were born overseas.
"We have already been positively impacted by Wanneroo's rich cultural diversity and this will continue as we welcome these new citizens to our great City."
UK-born Darch resident, Natalie Steszewski, who is one of the attendees taking the pledge at the ceremony, said she was very excited to become a citizen.
The occasion will be a major milestone for Natalie, who will not only take the pledge on her 30th birthday, but will also be celebrating her first Australia Day as an Australian citizen.
"I came here in 2001 to experience the Australian lifestyle and I planned to return to the UK, but I fell in love with this country and I've called it home ever since," she said.
"I love the lifestyle here, the weather and the friendliness of the people just makes me happy. I wouldn’t want my children to be brought up anywhere else."
This year’s event will feature special guest speaker Akram Azimi – the 2013 Young Australian of the Year – who will share his story with attendees.
City of Wanneroo Mayor Tracey Roberts will also present the City of Wanneroo Australia Day Awards which recognised individuals and groups who made an outstanding contribution to the Wanneroo community.
Adrian Barich will MC, Shaun Nannup will perform the Welcome to Country and local performer Bindhu and the Challenge Brass Band will entertain the crowd.
Event details
Date: Monday, 26 January 2015
Location: Wanneroo Showgrounds, Corner Wanneroo Road and Ariti Avenue
Registration and breakfast: from 7am
Ceremony: 9.15am – 10.40am.
Flag waving: approximately 10.15am
Citizens and guests will be seated by 9am for a 9.15am start.
More articles in the news archive.