Nearly 1500 new citizens for Victoria on Australia Day 2000
Media Release - DPS 7/2000
Nearly 1500 people will become Australians in ceremonies to be held across Victoria 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 Victoria.
Most citizenship ceremonies will form an element of community celebrations - barbecues, picnics, multicultural events, concerts and more.
Some municipalities will make citizenship awards, Hobson's Bay will lay a time capsule, others will hold flag-raising ceremonies and family picnics but all will celebrate what it is to be Australian.
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