Eurobodalla Labor for Council candidates today welcomed the shire’s newest Australians whose citizenship was conferred upon them virtually during a ZOOM ‘ceremony’.
Mayoral candidate David Grace said the 11 new Aussies reside across the Eurobodalla Shire which stretches in the north from South Durras down the NSW east coast to Akolele.
“Their decision as Australian citizens to make this their home will add to the richness and growing diversity of the Eurobodalla,” Mr Grace said. “We celebrate Australian Citizenship Day each year on 17 September and in 2021, it holds even greater significance as it marks the 20th anniversary of Australian Citizenship Day.
“The day is an opportunity for all Australians to reflect on the meaning and importance of Australian citizenship. as well as the responsibilities and privileges we have as citizens.
“Whether we are citizens through birth or by active choice, it is a chance for all Australians to take pride in our citizenship, to celebrate our democratic values and to think about what unites us as Australians,” he said.
Eurobodalla Shire Council usually hosts citizenship ceremonies four times annually, depending on demand. Because of COVID-19 lockdowns, mayor Liz Innes and deputy mayor Rob Pollock have scheduled ZOOM on-line ceremonies with the 11 new Aussies.
“Every year on this day, Australia welcomes thousands of new citizens in local communities across the nation, and we’re doing our bit too,” Mr Grace said. “The shire’s ethnic background is largely English, Irish, Scottish and Australian, so while we’re not as diverse as some other parts of the nation … it is changing.
“More migrants with birth countries such as Nepal, India, Thailand and China are making this special part of the south coast their home now, and languages in addition to English, such as Italian, Croatian, Spanish and Greek are also spoken in our community.
“As well as being home to the world’s oldest continuous cultures, there are new Australians who identify with more than 270 ancestries. Since 1945, almost seven million people have migrated to Australia.
“Over the years I have lived in the shire, it has been heartening to see we are attracting people from all over the world to live here.
“It adds to the richness of our community that this is happening because this cultural diversity is one of our greatest strengths and something Eurobodalla Labor for Council candidates value,” Mr Grace added.
Labor’s candidates in the 4 December local government elections are: for mayor, David Grace in Broulee; and as councillors, Maureen Searson in Batehaven, Matthew Findlay in Batemans Bay, Claire McAsh in Moruya, Deirdre Russack in Narooma, and Jack Egan in Rosedale.
Further information: David Grace, Labor Mayoral candidate M: 0466 487 844