Australian Citizenship reached 29 more people at Hawkesbury this week, after a ceremony held on 27 July 2026 brought new residents from 15 nations together to take the pledge.
The group’s home countries span South Africa, Colombia, Papua New Guinea, Nepal, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, India, Germany, New Zealand, Scotland, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man, China and Ireland — a spread that says something about who’s choosing Hawkesbury as home these days.
Each new citizen stood and made the Australian Citizenship Pledge, the formal declaration of loyalty to Australia and its people that turns permanent residency into full citizenship. Hawkesbury Mayor Les Sheather was there to see it through, alongside Robyn Preston MP, the Member for Hawkesbury; Inspector Mark Harvey of Hawkesbury Police Area Command; Warrant Officer Louise Pearson from RAAF Base Richmond; and Will Barton, Acting General Manager of Hawkesbury City Council.
Sheather addressed the room directly. “It is our pleasure to formally welcome you to Australia today,” he said. “Taking this step to become an Australian Citizen is a true sign of your commitment to this country and should be acknowledged and celebrated.”
Council sent everyone off with more than a handshake — each new citizen took home a certificate, a commemorative coin, and a native plant grown in Council’s own community nursery, a small local touch on what was, for most of them, a fairly momentous day.