Wattle Range Council celebrated Australia Day on 26 January with a Citizenship Ceremony for four conferees who became Wattle Range Council’s newest Australian citizens:
- Ms Leny Anding from the Philippines
- Mr Jakob Graeber from Germany
- Mr Say Say Wah from Thailand
- Mr Benjamin Castaneda from the Philippines
The conferees became Australian citizens at the Millicent Australia Day celebrations which included a full cooked breakfast by the Millicent Lions Club and the announcement of the Citizen of the Year Awards.
Prior to announcing the new Citizens, Wattle Range Council Mayor, Des Noll read out a message from Hon Tony Burke MP, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. Excerpt from that message “In a few moments time Australia will become an even better nation. When you make the citizenship pledge you take on the privileges and responsibilities of Australia citizenship. From that moment your journey and heritage will become part of our shared Australian story. We are privileged to share this beautiful country with First Nations Australians, the custodians of the world's oldest continuing culture. Appreciating and understanding this truth is a vital part of what is means to be Australian, Australia welcomes you as a full member of one of the most diverse nations on earth where our citizenship is a bond which unites all.”
From left to right: Say Say Wah, Leny Anding, Mayor Des Noll, Benjamin Castaneda and Jakob Graeber.
Australian citizenship was created through the Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948, and came into effect on 26 January 1949.