During Refugee Week, Benalla Rural City Council welcomed 14 new Australian citizens at a special citizenship ceremony held at the Benalla Art Gallery.
The newest citizens are from seven different countries, including India, China, the UK, Samoa, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines.
They were welcomed by Benalla Rural City Mayor, Bernie Hearn, who was the presiding officer for the ceremony.
“We congratulate and welcome Jasreet Kaur Brar, Ka Ho Chow, Ms Sharon Thompson, Mr David Edwin Ulberg, Ms Anna Zitye, Mr Rumeshkumar Navaratnam, Mrs Kalaivani Suntharalingam, Akshayah Rumeshkumar, Hariprasath Rumeshkumar, Heshanth Rumeshkumar, Mr Antonio Igana Umandal, Ms Elesita Soriano Diwa, Ezekiel Anthony Diwa Umandal, and Ezebell Kamille Diwa Umandal,” Cr Hearn said.
Cr Hearn said Refugee Week is an opportunity to come together as a community to reflect on and celebrate our vibrant multicultural society, and welcome the newest Australian citizens to Benalla.
“It was an honour to preside over the Citizenship Ceremony during Refugee Week and officially welcome 14 new citizens to our community, I congratulate each of them,” she said.
“Citizenship Ceremonies are one of the highlights of being Mayor – it’s so great to see the pride and joy on such a special day.”
Australian citizenship ceremonies are an important part of our nation’s celebrations.
Our newest citizens have joined over 6 million people who came before them who have chosen to become citizens since the first citizenship ceremony held in January 1949.
“Benalla Rural City Council congratulates all our newest citizens and wishes them the best in this new stage in their lives,” Cr Hearn said.