Parramatta Schoolchildren Show they are True Aussies
Media Release - DPS 60/2002
Schoolchildren in Parramatta were among the first in NSW to publicly affirm their Australian Citizenship, at a ceremony today led by Councillor Pierre Esbar, Deputy Lord Mayor of Parramatta City Council.
Year 5 and 6 students and invited guests took a pledge affirming their loyalty to Australia, in the first Affirmation Ceremony ever held at Parramatta Public School.
The Affirmation Ceremony followed a Citizenship Ceremony for 27 candidates, at which Australian Citizenship was conferred by Ms Elektra Spathopoulos, the Department's NSW Program Manager, Client Services & Citizenship.
The seven children amongst the conferees were some of the first in the country to receive their own Citizenship Certificates - recent changes to legislation allow children to have individual certificates instead of being included in their parents' certificates.
Parramatta Public School Captains Theo Mihas and Tijana Kanic spoke about the importance and value of Australian Citizenship and the National Anthem was performed by the Parramatta School Choir.
Guests also a received a new Affirmation Kit, launched recently by the Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Gary Hardgrave.
Ms Spathopoulos said Affirmation Ceremonies were becoming increasingly popular as Australian citizens appreciated the opportunity to affirm their loyalty to Australia and its people.
The new Affirmation kit is intended to encourage organisations and individuals to consider holding Affirmation Ceremonies - not only as part of Citizenship Ceremonies, but as separate and equally significant events.
Ms Spathopoulos also encouraged all eligible permanent residents to apply for Australian Citizenship in the lead-up to Australian Citizenship Day on 17 September, 2002. Citizenship and Affirmation Ceremonies will be held across the country, including a special event in the Great Hall at Parliament House, Canberra.
Some 900 000 people are eligible to apply for citizenship. An advertising campaign is currently under way to target the largest groups of permanent residents who are eligible - from the UK, New Zealand, Italy, Malaysia, Germany, China, the Netherlands, India, Ireland, Indonesia and the USA.
21 August 2002
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