Location: 22 Tozer Street
Postal Address: PO Box 78
WEST KEMPSEY NSW 2440
Customer First: 02 6566 3200
Facsimile: 02 6566 3205
Email: ksc@kempsey.nsw.gov.au
Hours: 8.30 am to 4.30 pm
Monday to Friday
ABN 70 705 618 663
     
   
Welcome to our newest
Australian Citizens
Australian Citizenship
Citizenship ceremony 9 November 2009

Aesha Awan, Talha Awan, Zubair Awan and Dr Muhammad Hussain became Australian citizens in a ceremony performed by Mayor John Bowell at the Council Chambers on 9 November 2009.

 

   
How to become an Australian Citizen
 

Applying for Citizenship

If you wish to become an Australian Citizen the first step is to contact the Australian Government’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship on their Information Line 131 880 or website www.citizenship.gov.au.

Important Information

On 12 September 2007, the Australian Parliament passed the Australian Citizenship Amendment (Citizenship Testing) Bill 2007.

This means from 1 October 2007, people who satisfy the general eligibility criteria are required to pass a test before applying for Australian citizenship. People covered by the other situations are not required to sit a test.

The Ceremony

Council holds regular Australian Citizenship ceremonies for residents who wish to become Australian citizens. Citizenship ceremonies have an important symbolic role because they formally welcome new citizens from many cultures into Australian society.

The ceremony is a formal part of the citizenship process. A person becomes an Australian citizen on the date he or she attends the citizenship ceremony and makes the Pledge of commitment to Australia.

The main elements of the ceremony are:

  • Official welcome
  • An address by the Mayor or a special guest
  • Pledge of commitment to Australia
  • Presentation of certificates of Australian citizenship
  • Presentation of a gift to all new citizens
  • Singing of the national anthem, Advance Australia Fair

Becoming an Australian Citizen

An Australian Citizen has the right to:

  • Vote and elect Australia’s government.
  • Stand for public office or nominate for election to Parliament.
  • Apply for an Australian passport and leave and re-enter the country without a resident return visa.
  • Seek consular assistance from Australia’s diplomatic representatives while overseas.
  • Apply to enlist in the armed forces and for Government jobs.
  • Register children as Australian Citizens by descent.

     
Mayor John Bowell
Mayor John Bowell

Select a venue

There are many spectacular areas in our lovely valley - you may wish to consider this when you are making arrangements for your citizen ceremony.


     
 
 
 

 

 
This site is designed and maintained by Kempsey Council staff. Your questions and comments are most welcome.

Please contact
lisa.hanrahan@kempsey.nsw.gov.au