Thirteen of Australia's newest citizens were welcomed at this year's first citizenship ceremony in Armidale. It was delivered by Armidale Regional Council Mayor Simon Murray and emceed by council CEO Susan Law on Wednesday morning.
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Conferees taking part in the ceremony were from India, Iran, Ethiopia, Vietnam, New Zealand, Cook Islands, Brazil and Bhutan.
Elder Hazel Vale delivered the traditional Welcome to Country and Cr Murray delivered apologies from the Member for New England Barnaby Joyce, the Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall and Professor Annabel Duncan fro UNE.
He then read a message from the Minister from Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs David Coleman and acknowledged the commitment being made before commencing the official ceremony.
"It is an honour to confer Australian citizenship to people who appreciate and value our society so much that they wish to become one of us and make Australia their home," Cr Murray said.
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"I warmly congratulate our citizenship conferees today for taking the final step in their journey to become Australian citizens.
"I look forward to seeing the contribution that each of you will make to Australia."
Following the ceremony council CEO Susan Law, herself an Australian citizen from New Zealand, thought it was fantastic that Armidale got people from all over the world wanting to become Australian citizens.
"We do speak 57 different languages in the Armidale Region," she said.
"I'm not sure that we've done the comparisons with other towns, but I just think it's wonderful because it does indicate a real richness and diversity in our community.
"We normally get between about 10 and 20 people at these ceremonies and we hold two a year and I think it is fantastic."
