Australia Day saw the launch of celebrations marking the 60th Anniversary of Australian citizenship. First introduced in 1949 with the enactment of the Nationality and Citizenship Act, prior to this, most Australian residents were British subjects. Since the act was passed, more than four million people have become Australian citizens in the past 60 years, and today over 95 per cent of the nation’s population are Australian citizens.
Celebrating Australia Day
The first citizenship ceremony was staged at the Albert Hall, Canberra, on 3 February 1949. Seven men became citizens – one to represent each state and the ACT. They were from Czechoslovakia, Denmark, France, Greece, Norway, Spain and Yugoslavia.
During 1949, almost 2500 people from more than 35 countries became Australian citizens. Most were from Italy, Poland, Greece, Germany and Yugoslavia. Today, Australian citizenship is celebrated annually on Australian Citizenship Day, which is the September 17.
Commemorations in 2009
- the opening of Citizenship Place, on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra, on Australia Day. Citizenship Place will feature a timeline wall and engraving of the Australian citizenship affirmation, and will be a focus for future citizenship celebrations
- a commemorative mintmark coin released by the Royal Australian Mint
- a 60th anniversary of citizenship message from the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, for all conferees throughout the year
- a 60th anniversary edition of citizenship school education resources, and 60th anniversary-themed conferral ceremonies at landmark events including Citizenship Day.
Each year, local communities nominate exceptional citizens to become their state or territory’s Local Hero in the Australian of the Year awards. The local heroes are people whose actions exemplify civic values. The 2009 Local Heroes are:
- New South Wales: Dr Jamal Rifi, Muslim community leader
- Victoria: Beverley Wall, town hero
- Queensland: Cyril Golding, philanthropic businessman
- Western Australia: Graham Drew, sea rescuer and educator
- South Australia: Beverley Langley, wildlife rescuer
- Australian Capital Territory: Tim Gavel, sports journalist and community worker
- Tasmania: John Layton Hodgetts OAM, band leader
- Northern Territory: Chowdhury Sadaruddin, Muslim community leader
More than 120 000 people from more than 200 countries became Australian citizens in 2007-08:
- New South Wales: 45 000
- Victoria: 30 700
- Queensland: 17 400
- Western Australia: 17 000
- South Australia: 6300
- Australian Capital Territory: 2500
- Tasmania: 900
- Northern Territory: 600
Most were from the United Kingdom, India, China, New Zealand and South Africa.
The Citizenship pledge
Citizenship for all Australians Australian citizenship carries responsibilities and privileges. It is a commitment of loyalty to Australia and its people and their shared democratic beliefs, laws and rights. It is a bond uniting our culturally diverse society.
The citizenship certificate
It is fundamentally important that we all understand our civic responsibilities and the meaning of Australian citizenship, whether we are Australian by birth or by choice.
New Australian citizens make a public pledge of their commitment to Australia. The Australian citizenship affirmation allows all existing Australian citizens to do the same by reciting the words:
As an Australian citizen,
I affirm my loyalty to Australia and its people,
Whose democratic beliefs I share,
Whose rights and liberties I respect,
And whose laws I uphold and obey.
Did you know…
Notable Australian citizenship conferees of the past include ground-breaking medical specialists Dr Victor Chang and Prof Fred Hollows, authors Bryce Courtenay and John M. Coetzee, former world boxing champion Kostya Tszyu and performers Jon Stevens and John Farnham.
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