Thousands take citizenship pledge
ABC News
Posted Sat Jan 26, 2008 12:17pm AEDT
Updated Sat Jan 26, 2008 12:19pm AEDT
Australia Day citizenship ceremonies have seen more 14,000 immigrants from 114 countries take the pledge to become Australian citizens.
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Australia Day citizenship ceremonies have seen more 14,000 immigrants from 114 countries take the pledge to become Australian citizens.
The main focus of this morning's celebrations was in Canberra, where Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivered a speech at a citizenship ceremony for around 115 new Australians.
The ceremony on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin is just one of more than 300 across Australia today, including a ceremony in the flood-stricken town of Emerald in central Queensland.
Mr Rudd welcomed the new citizens and asked that each of them use their talents and enthusiasm to serve the country.
He also acknowledged the contribution of farmers, business and community leaders, the armed forces, and Indigenous Australians, in shaping the country.
He said Australians were intensely proud of the country's Aboriginal heritage and told the gathering that Indigenous Australian heritage was very important.
“We stand in awe of the fact that among us is the world's oldest continuing culture,” he said.
“We stand in awe as we hear the songs and the sounds and the stories and the music which have come down to us from antiquity.”
Mr Rudd urged Australians to come together to celebrate the nation's achievements and told those gathered that the nation had much to celebrate.
“For this day, Australia Day, it is about celebrating our heritage, it's about pausing for a moment to reflect on how we best chart our future.”
In Victoria, 3,000 people from about 50 different nations gained their citizenship.
The ceremonies are part of a day of celebrations that include the Australia Day People's March in Swanston Street and fireworks along the Yarra River tonight.
Yun Yi Liang took her citizenship pledge at the Melbourne Town Hall and says she is proud to be Australian.
“It's pretty emotional, especially when I hear Waltzing Matilda and the national anthem. Being Australian is a proud thing, isn't it? Aussie Aussie Aussie,” she said.
Canberrans were treated to an F/A-18 flyover and a spectacular display by Red Berets parachutists who parachuted into the lake before the ceremony started.
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