Kempsey Shire welcomes sixteen new Australians
Published on 26 January 2024
Sixteen Kempsey residents have become Australia’s newest citizens at the Australia Day Citizenship and Awards Ceremony held at the Slim Dusty Centre in Kempsey on Friday.
In becoming Australians, the candidates took their pledges and oath to embrace the values that make Australia such a strong country. In doing so, they made a public commitment to Australia and accepting the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship.
The event was jointly funded by Council and the National Australia Day Council Community Grants Program.
Leo Hauville, Mayor of Kempsey Shire Council, said the new citizens come from six different countries, including Philippines, Thailand, Turkiye, and Sweden.
“Welcoming new citizens to our Shire is an honour, and we sincerely congratulate them as they make their lives as new Australians,” said Cr Hauville.
“We look forward to getting to know them better as they share their skills and cultural diversity, enriching our community through work and play.”
Joining the new citizens at the event were family and friends, Australia Day Ambassador Philp Lee OAM, State Member for Oxley, Michael Kemp, many members of the community and Uncle Bob Smith, who gave a Welcome to Country.
Each year the shire’s largest citizenship ceremony takes place at Council’s Australia Day event.
For more information about Australian citizenship (including eligibility criteria and application process) and the shared values, visit www.citizenship.gov.au.