New citizens welcomed in Australia Day ceremony

HOBART has welcomed 82 new citizens to the city at a special citizenship ceremony on Australia Day.

The ceremony was held on 26 January at the Wrest Point Sandy Bay Regatta at the Long Point Reserve.

Hobart Lord Mayor Sue Hickey said Australia Day was a special day for “everyone who lives in our great nation.”

“Becoming a citizen and taking out citizenship represents a commitment to Australia and its people – it gives a sense of belonging because one can fully participate in all aspects of Australian life,” she said.

“Australia has been built by the combined contributions of Indigenous Australians and generations of migrants and their descendants and, while we come from a diverse range of backgrounds, we share a common future as Australians.

“It is fantastic to see so many new citizens pledge their commitment to our country, our people, democratic beliefs, laws, rights and liberties.”

Run in conjunction with the citizenship ceremony were the annual Australia Day awards.

The 2017 awards acknowledged unsung heroes who have made contributions to their community, young people who are deserving of recognition for their community work and for clubs and organisations who have organised outstanding community events.

The Citizen of the Year Award went to Fay Ibbott, the Young Citizen of the Year Award to Stephanie Eslake and the Community Event of the Year Award to the 2016 Australian Antarctic Festival.

Caption: Winners of the 2017 City of Hobart Australia Day Awards, Paul Cullen, left, and David Jensen (Community Event of the Year – 2016 Australian Antarctic Festival), Faye Ibbott (Citizen of the Year) and Stephanie Eslake (Young Citizen of the Year). Image courtesy of The City of Hobart.