Citizenship
Pictured above L-R: Shire President Paul Omodei with Ms Ngan Thi Minh HUYNH and Ms Dung Huynh Boa NGUYEN at their citizenship ceremony in May 2017.
Citizenship Ceremonies
The final step in the journey to become an Australian citizen, for most people, is to make the 'Pledge of Commitment' at a citizenship ceremony conducted by Local Government.
Citizenship ceremonies fulfil requirements under Australian citizenship law. They also provide an important opportunity to officially welcome new citizens as full members of the Australian community.
DIBP notifies the Shire of Manjimup with details of new citizens in its monthly citizenship ceremony planning reports. The Shire then contacts the new citizen(s) and offers the Council ordinary meetings dates at which a Citizenship ceremony may be performed. New citizens may also choose to make their pledge of commitment as part of special celebrations on Australia Day.
Once the Shire receives confirmation of the date from the new citizen, the citizenship documents are ordered from DIBP.
Family and friends are welcome to attend the ceremony, which is usually conducted at the beginning of the ordinary Council meeting at 5.30pm. The new citizen makes the 'Pledge of Commitment' before being formally welcomed as a new citizen to the Shire of Manjimup as a 'true Aussie'.
Following the ceremony, the official pledge report is sent to DIBP, with copies to the WA Electoral Commission, and to the current federal and state members of parliament.
