Welcome
to new citizens a highlight of Australia Day 2008
Almost
300 Wyong Shire residents became Australian citizens
in 2007 - and 52 more have chosen to take the step as
part of Australia Day celebrations this year.
A majority of new
citizens to Wyong Shire over the past year originated
in the United Kingdom, New Zealand,
the
Philippines, South Africa, the USA and China.
An Australia
Day citizenship ceremony will be held at Wyong’s
shire council chambers from 11am on 26January 2008
- welcoming 26 new Australians. This event will also
include an Affirmation ceremony, in which people can
choose to publicly affirm their loyalty and commitment
to Australia.
Urging people to participate in the
Affirmation ceremony, Wyong Mayor, Warren Welham, said
the addition
would enhance
awareness of Australian citizenship, promote community
involvement and help people feel that they belong.
Those
who take part in the Wyong Affirmation ceremony won’t
need to prove their Australian residence or citizenship,
but will make a short, poignant statement
based on the citizenship pledge.
Read about
affirmation ceremonies.
An additional 26 people will
also become new citizens in another Australia Day ceremony
at The Entrance.
Final touches are being added to
all Australia Day activities across Wyong Shire.
Celebrations will start on Tuesday, January 22, when
Wyong Shire Council will announce its annual Australia
Day Awards. There will be six categories, including the
Shire’s citizen of the year; youth of the year;
and senior and junior sports person.
Then, on Friday,
January 25, Toukley’s Canton Beach
will host an Australia Day Eve event.
Activities, which
will start at 4.30pm, will have an ‘Australiana’ feel,
with performances by the Bluegum Bush Band; Jake Cassar,
whose session will include a look at the mysteries
of bush tucker; and bush poet, Gary Lowe.
There will
also
be sheep shearing, whip cracking, lamington making;
gold panning, farm animals and free pony rides for
children.
Singer, Little Pattie, will attend
the Canton Beach event in her role as Australia Day
ambassador
for Wyong
Shire.
Residents are urged to bring chairs and rugs as the
celebrations will finish with a fireworks display over
Tuggerah Lakes.
On Australia Day, January 26, The
Entrance will host a big program from 11am including
wood chopping
titles; ‘Australiana’ and
multicultural music and dancing; bush poetry; the Tuggerah
Lakes Show Band; belly dancing; a display of vintage
farm machinery; markets, stalls, highland dancing and
amusements.
A flag raising, speech by the Australia
Day ambassador and the citizenship ceremony will be
held on the Memorial
Park stage at 4.30pm. Celebrations will draw to a close
with a fireworks display at about 9pm.
See additional information about
Australia
Day 2008
Media contact: Ian Roberts (02) 4350
5525
Page last updated: 21/01/2008
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