More than 600 new citizens in South Australia on Australia Day 2000
Media Release - DPS 005/2000
More than 600 people will become Australians in ceremonies to be held across South Australia on Australia Day, 26 January 2000.
Citizenship ceremonies have become an important part of Australia Day events over the years and this one is particularly significant because it marks the end of a year of activities celebrating 50 years of Australian citizenship. (Until 26 January 1949 all Australians were officially British subjects.)
Although citizenship is a Commonwealth function and applications are approved under the direction of the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, the Minister has authorised senior elected and appointed officials in Local Government (Mayors, Town Clerks etc) to confer citizenship.
This Australia Day will see about 30 citizenship ceremonies held at Council Chambers and Town Halls, on beaches and in parks, all over South Australia.
Many citizenship ceremonies will form an element of community celebrations - barbecues, picnics, multicultural events, concerts and more.
In the City of Charles Sturt 120 new citizens will make their pledges in conjunction with a multicultural festival and the firing of a 19th century cannon at Fort Glanville.
At the other end of the scale, the councils of Coober Pedy, Goyder and Port Lincoln will welcome one new citizen each.
And as new citizens pledge themselves to their new country, many Australians will take the opportunity to affirm their loyalty, because citizenship is something for everybody to think about, not just migrants.
25 January 2000