New citizens for Tasmania on Australia Day 2000
Media Release - DPS 6/2000
Forty-nine people will become Australians in ceremonies to be held throughout Tasmania 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 four citizenship ceremonies in Tasmania.
The Hobart City Council will hold a ceremony for 21 new citizens at the Sandy Bay Regatta. Another 21 will make their pledges at Launceston's Albert Hall while the Clarence and Southern Midlands councils will hold smaller ceremonies.
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