Meet our newest citizens!
Town of Walkerville has welcomed and sworn in 16 new Australian citizens as part of Refugee Week.
The newest citizens were surrounded by friends and loved ones as they pledged their commitment to Australia – hailing from many different countries across the world, including Canada, China, Egypt, France, India, Iran, Lebanon, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
During the Citizenship Ceremony, Mayor Melissa Jones said that the Town of Walkerville was a thriving multicultural Township and she was pleased to have the new citizens officially join our close-knit community.
“As we contemplate Refugee Week, as we contemplate a world in which there are many people forcibly displaced from their home countries, it is our duty to reflect and appreciate the importance of not only finding our own freedom, but helping others find theirs,” Mayor Jones said.
Following the Pledge of Commitment from each new Australian at the ceremony, opera singer Jeremy Tatchell performed the Australian National Anthem.
All new citizens received a special gift bag welcoming them as new citizens to the community. This gift bag included a plant from the Rotary Club of Walkerville, as well as a special handwritten letter from Vale Park Primary School Year two and three students, which welcomed the conferees as Australian citizens to the community.
Mayor Jones said to the new citizens, “As Mayor, there is no greater privilege than to attend a Citizenship Ceremony to see what it means for people whose journey to citizenship does not begin with being born in this country and particularly those whose journey here begins in difficult circumstances.
“Walkerville is like a Village. Walkervillians embrace and thrive on our community. I encourage you to get involved in everything on offer in Walkerville.”
