Lord Mayor’s Citizen Ceremony

More than 150 people are expected to attend the Lord Mayor’s Citizen Ceremony at Town Hall on Friday June 15, to welcome Australia’s newest citizens to the Adelaide community.

Lord Mayor and presiding officer of the ceremony Stephen Yarwood will lead more than 50 residents in their pledge to Australia, its people and the democratic beliefs they share.

“For some this is about making a fresh start, for others it is about being unified with family, and enjoying the full responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship.

“It’s a very exciting day and one people take seriously,” Stephen said.

Afroza Begum moved to Australia from Kolkata, India, in 2006, to study a Masters in Accounting at Monash University.

She said becoming an Australian Citizen would give her freedom to build her career in Adelaide and live without the societal pressures she experienced in India.

“In Adelaide, when you go home after work, you don’t bring tension with you, you relax, you enjoy your life; it’s amazing,” she said.

“My husband and I are an inter-cast couple, and while our family back home love us very much, no one judges you for your religion here,” she said.

Ms Begum said she was feeling more excited than nervous about the citizen ceremony on Friday.

“Since I got the news, I am very excited - I keep calling everyone - I am very happy,” she said.

The ceremony will conclude with a morning tea in the historic Queen Adelaide room.

For more information about the order of the ceremony visit:
www.citizenship.gov.au/ceremonies/attending_ceremony
 

When: 9:50 am – 11:30 am, Friday 15 June 2012
Where: Adelaide Town Hall, 128 King William Street, Adelaide