Nine new citizens

NINE new Australian citizens were sworn in during a special ceremony at the Lismore City Council Chambers in Goonellabah on Tuesday.

Lismore City Council general manager Gary Murphy (far left) and Lismore mayor Jenny Dowell (far right) with new citizens after the Citizenship Ceremony at the council chambers on Tuesday. Picture: Terra Sword

NINE new Australian citizens were sworn in during a special ceremony at the Lismore City Council Chambers in Goonellabah yesterday.

Lismore City Mayor Jenny Dowell and General Manager Gary Murphy welcomed the new citizens, who hailed from nations as diverse as the Philippines, Ireland, Thailand, British Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.

"In taking Australian Citizenship you are not expected to renounce cultural identity, customs or traditions, which are part of your heritage," said Cr Dowell to the group of citizens before taking their pledge.

"Instead we ask that you share these most valuable assets so that all Australians can become more tolerant and understanding as Australia's heritage is made richer by contributions from people from many lands.

"We all need to belong to a family or a community, to share a past and to hold common hopes and goals for the future. By becoming an Australian citizen, you are showing that you want to have a say in Australia's future."

Amongst the new citizens was a Sister from the Carmelite Nuns in Goonellabah, who originally migrated from the Philippines.

Mayor Dowell said this was the first time she has had the honour of conferring citizenship on a nun.

Originally published as Nine new citizens