A group of 166 Hills residents celebrated National Citizenship Day by pledging their loyalty to Australia and becoming citizens during a ceremony at The Hills Shire Council chambers in September. The special ceremony saw conferees from 22 countries become Australian citizens, joining hundreds of ceremonies nationwide that officially welcomed thousands of new Australians.
Mayor of The Hills Shire, Dr Michelle Byrne, presided over the ceremony and warmly welcomed the newest members of the vibrant Hills community.
“It’s an honour to welcome 166 new citizens to The Hills Shire, each contributing to the rich and diverse character of our community,” Mayor Byrne said.
“Whether you’re a citizen by birth or by choice, National Citizenship Day is an opportunity for all Australians to take pride in our citizenship, celebrate our democratic values, and reflect on the responsibilities and privileges that come with being an Australian.
“With approximately 42 per cent of our local population born overseas, The Hills is a truly multicultural community, with residents from over 116 countries speaking more than 80 languages.”
This year, The Hills Shire’s new citizens represented a rich array of cultural backgrounds, including individuals from New Zealand, Pakistan, Iran, Colombia, and Kenya.
New citizen Laura Kirkpatrick, originally from Colombia, reflected on her journey to Australian citizenship.
“I first came to Australia at the age of 15, unsure of what to expect as I was simply following my parents’ lead. After many sacrifices and visa processes later, I’m proud to be an Australian citizen,” Laura said.
“I’ve fallen in love with this country and want to give back to the place that has given me so much.”
Mahan Lamei and his two sons were among many at the ceremony, proudly celebrating their new citizenship and the start of a new chapter in their lives.
“We decided to migrate to an immigrant-friendly western country, and we were lucky to end up in this lucky country,” Mahan said.
“We like the diversity of The Hills. It feels family-friendly, so good for raising our kids. Also, the topographic landscape feels close to our home city of Tehran.”
To read the full interviews with Laura and Mahan, visit www.thehills.nsw.gov.au and search for their names.
