Australia Day event and Citizenship Ceremony, Crookwell, NSW

[E&OE]

I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, and pay my respects to their elders past and present, emerging leaders and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders gathered here today.

Good afternoon, everyone.

Linda and I are delighted to be in Crookwell for this Australia Day event and Citizenship Ceremony. It’s great to see you all.

What a wonderful show of support for the seven members of the Crookwell community who are about to become Australian citizens as well as the Australia Day award nominees.

It’s Linda’s and my first official visit to Crookwell. Thank you for making us feel so welcome. We look forward to meeting as many of you as possible after the ceremony. On the drive up from Canberra it was great to see the countryside looking so alive.

We’re delighted to be here and to be part of today’s Australia Day celebration.

This year marks the 73rd anniversary of Australian citizenship, since the concept of an Australian citizen was introduced into our laws.

Australian citizenship is an important common bond for all Australians, whether Australians by birth or by choice, and lies at the heart of a unified, cohesive and inclusive Australia.

Today’s ceremony is about welcoming new citizens as full members of the Australian community.

These people are our neighbours, our friends and our workmates. They are part of our community. Their lives are important to us.

Earlier today, Linda and I attended the National Flag Raising and Citizenship Ceremony in Canberra.

One of the things I said to the new citizens was that we are a good people. We’re not afraid of hard work, we’re creative and we can take on anything. We are the product of our past and the sum of our individual stories.

Our newest seven citizens in Crookwell will add to that rich mix and add to the Australian story with their own.

I want to let you in on a secret. I read the bios of new citizens! I’m always interested to learn why they want to become Australian citizens and what contributions they have made to their community.

I realise all seven bios will be read in full shortly, but here are a few excerpts.

Emma and Stuart, who arrived in Canberra from the UK six years ago, ‘liked what they saw and decided to stay!’

Hannah, also from the UK, says she now knows that the phrase ‘How you going’ doesn’t actually refer to going anywhere! She loves the strong sense of community in the Upper Lachlan Shire.

Lavinia, now retired and from New Zealand, says today’s occasion means that she will now be able to vote and voice an opinion.

Guy and Hwa, also retired and from Vietnam, reckon the best thing about Australia is our mixed culture and beautiful natural landscapes.

And Han, also from Vietnam, says becoming a citizen means that she is part of a free and democratic society.

Welcome all of you.

In my role, Linda and I have the great privilege of speaking with Australians from different backgrounds, dealing with different challenges and with different dreams for the future.

We speak – in-person or over video call – with people in good times and in challenging times.

Regardless of the circumstances, we’ve observed some consistent characteristics that I believe speak to who we are as Australians:

Grit and determination …

Kindness and compassion for others …

And a quiet confidence that, if we look after each other, we will be okay.

These characteristics give me enormous optimism for our future.

There will be challenges and there will be tough days. We know that. And, yes, we will disagree from time to time. But we are a kind and strong people, and our future can be bright.

That is worth celebrating – not just on Australia Day but every day of the year.

To Crookwell’s newest citizens …

Shortly, you will take a pledge. In doing so, you will pledge your loyalty to Australia, its people and its democratic beliefs. You will become Australian citizens.

It’s a momentous, life-changing step and I’m sure you have thought about it very carefully.

You are about to become part of a great nation.

[Ends]