Four new Australian citizens have been into the Gunnedah community.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Hardeep Singh and Puneet Kaur of India, Albert Law of Malaysia and Ivy Tieh of Malaysia made the pledge to Australia during a naturalisation ceremony on Wednesday.
Gunnedah shire mayor Jamie Chaffey and deputy mayor Rob Hooke performed the ceremony in the council chambers.
“This is the biggest privilege as mayor – to give those people that have chosen Australia, not only as their home, but a place to proud of and to raise their families, the opportunity to become Australian Citizens,” Cr Chaffey said.
“Citizenship brings responsibilities and duties – to obey the laws, to register on the electoral roll and vote, to serve on a jury if called to do so, and to defend Australia should the need arise.
“Citizenship also brings civil and social rights – the right to express your cultural heritage and beliefs coupled with a responsibility to accept the rights of others to express their heritage and beliefs.
“Since 2012, Gunnedah shire has welcomed 63 adults and 10 children as Australian citizens and I am proud to congratulate our four newest, and wish them and their families well in their future endeavours.”
The council gave each of the new citizens a native tree.