Whitsundays Welcomes 65 New Australian Citizens

Photos sourced: Facebook

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The Whitsundays community has grown a little larger and more diverse, with 65 people officially becoming Australian citizens at a record-breaking citizenship ceremony held at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre on Tuesday.

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Whitsunday Mayor Ry Collins said welcoming new Australians was one of the most rewarding aspects of his role, describing the ceremony as a celebration of the many journeys that lead people to call Australia home.

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"One of the very best parts of being Mayor is welcoming new Australians to our community," Mayor Collins said.

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"What I love about these ceremonies is the diversity of stories they represent. Some of our newest citizens have only recently arrived in Australia, while others have been part of the fabric of our community for decades."

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Among those taking the pledge were two residents who had lived in Australia for 60 years and 44 years respectively before becoming citizens.

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Mayor Collins said it was particularly special to see familiar faces among the group, including a neighbour and members of the Whitsunday Regional Council family.

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"We are proud to have you as part of our community and proud to call you fellow Australians," he said.

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