Celebrating Australian Citizenship Day 2023

18 September 2023

The Hawkesbury has welcomed 120 new citizens who came from a diverse range of countries including Belgium, Brazil, Britain, Canada, Peoples Republic of China, Colombia, Czechia (Czech Republic), India, Indonesia, Iran, Republic of Ireland, Korea, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, United States of America and Vietnam.

Hawkesbury City Council held the Australian Citizenship Day ceremonies on Sunday, 17 September 2023 at Windsor Function Centre, officiated by the Mayor of Hawkesbury, Councillor Sarah McMahon.

Darug woman Rhiannon Wright performed the Welcome to Country and the Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman gave a message on behalf of the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, The Hon Andrew Giles MP, and a personal message.

State Member for Hawkesbury Robyn Preston, Air Commodore Bradley Clarke from RAAF Base Richmond and Chief Inspector Peter Jenkins, Hawkesbury Police Area Command also attended, along with Councillors Amanda Kotlash, Les Sheather, Paul Veigel and Nathan Zamprogno.

Australian Citizenship Day is celebrated annually on 17 September and is an opportunity for all Australian citizens, whether by birth or by choice, to reflect on the meaning and importance of their citizenship.

Mayor McMahon said receiving Australia Citizenship on Australia’s national citizenship day was special for everyone involved and would be a special memory for all.

"Each year we are privileged to welcome new Australians as part of Australian Citizenship Day celebrations,” Mayor McMahon said.

“Whether we are citizens through birth or by active choice, Australian Citizenship Day is a chance for all Australians to take pride in our citizenship; celebrate our democratic values and think about what unites us as Australians.

"It is one of the greatest honours as a Mayor to confer citizenship upon people from all nations of the earth, who have such significant and varied stories about their journey to Australian citizenship.

It gives me great pleasure to listen to every citizen, knowing that this day brings so much joy because they now belong to the very best country, and can call themselves a ‘true blue Aussie!’

“I look forward to seeing our new citizens out and about in our community, taking part in the opportunities it brings and making their own contributions to our democratic society,” she said.