Nearly 1000 New Citizens for WA on Australia Day 2000
Media Release - DPS 8/2000
Nearly 1000 people will become Australians in ceremonies to be held across Western 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 more than 40 citizenship ceremonies held at Council Chambers and Town Halls, on beaches and in parks, all over Western Australia.
Most citizenship ceremonies will form an element of community celebrations - barbecues, picnics, multicultural events, concerts and more.
Many municipalities will make citizenship awards and numbers of new citizens range from up to 100 at regional and suburban centres to ones and twos in smaller and more remote areas.
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