Mayor extends warm welcome to Frankston City’s newest Aussies
Published on 08 July 2021
Mayor Kris Bolam has extended a warm welcome to Frankston City’s newest Aussies at a Citizenship Ceremony attended by beaming residents and dignitaries at Frankston Arts Centre.
Forty-nine locals from the Philippines, Malaysia, South Africa, Sudan, New Zealand, Lebanon, Pakistan, the United States of America, India, Austria, Vietnam, Britain, Ireland, Thailand, China, Romania and Russia participated in the Citizenship Ceremony.
Proudly supported by family and friends, the candidates formally pledged their commitment to Australia at the Ceremony.
The Ceremony was attended by Mayor Bolam, the Federal Member for Dunkley, Peta Murphy, the State Member for South Eastern Metropolitan, Gordon Rich-Phillips, the State Member for Carrum, Sonya Kilkenny MP, and Council CEO, Phil Cantillon.
Mayor Bolam said: “Today marks the start of your new life as an Australian. Australia welcomes you and encourages you to contribute to your new country to help build our great nation.
“Australian citizenship symbolises our unity as a nation. It is the common bond that unites all Australians, whether you were born here, or you have decided to make Australia your home. By becoming an Australian citizen today, you become a full and formal member of our democratic society.”
Mayor Bolam added: “Australia gives all of its people the chance to live and grow in liberty and to share in the common good. In return, we owe Australia our duty as good neighbours and good citizens.
“All of you will enrich our communities with different foods, skills, cultures and ways to understand and interpret the world. Many of you bring skills and professions that we need – and therefore value highly – as a nation.
“Some of you have fled repressive governments. On behalf of the City of Frankston, I extend to you our warmest welcome. You are not just becoming citizens of Australia today – you are also becoming citizens of Frankston. Frankston is a great place to live,” the Mayor said.
Mr Cantillon, who acted at MC for the Ceremony, warmly congratulated all those who became Australian Citizens.