Hawkesbury Welcomes New Citizens

The Hawkesbury welcomed 35 newly minted Aussies at Council’s citizenship ceremony held in Windsor on Saturday, September 17 - National Citizenship Day.

Councillor Nathan Zamprogno said he was honoured to welcome the new citizens hailing from 11 different countries.

“It’s always wonderful to see people making the leap into citizenship,” Councillor Zamprogno said.

“It’s a leap of faith, but you can see smiles from one side of the room to the other, young and old alike.

“Of course, some people at the ceremony had been Australian residents for some time.

“It’s fascinating to ask them both why Australia and why now?

“Mostly you get reasons of the heart in response, and a sense of appreciation for the free, welcoming, vibrant country Australia is.”

Councillor Zamprogno said that citizenship was a two-way street.

“The pledge emphasises the obligations to be a deliberative voter, to uphold Australian values, and to put your new citizenship ahead of other allegiances,” he said.

“I was struck by how diverse the crowd was, coming from eleven different nations including Peru, Sweden, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Cuba, Fiji, China, the USA, Nepal and Canada.

“Australia is a peaceful, stable, egalitarian, good humoured, vibrant and principled nation.

“Those who took citizenship now equally partake of that legacy alongside all other citizens, whether born here or recent arrivals.”

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