I had a fortunate experience a few days ago when I went downtown to collect the audited accounts of Dot and my Superannuation Fund. Nearby I saw crownds congreating in our Mall and Iwent over to see what was happening. There I met a good friend who explained to me that a ceremony was about to take place in which immigrants were granted Australian citizenship. Nothnig like this happened when I became an Australian citizen. I simply got a letter in the mail in around 1974! - almost 50 years ago.
More surprisingly still for me was seeing our locel mayor arrive along with with our local members of parliament - both state and federal. Also joining in the proceedings and, indeed, opening the ceremony were two school captains and an Aborignal leader! We sang the national anthem and then the crown was informed baout how the ceremony would proceed.
Heaps of people were invited to come forward in turn, whether individuals, couples or even whole families - each greated with applause. I was standing adjacent to a friend of mine whom a play against in numerous bridge games. I've known David Bonsey for years and was stunned to see him accept Australian citizenship!
As is the case with Australian immigration, recipients of citizenship came from all over the planet, whether Europe, east and west Asia, Africa, and the Americas. They generated applause whatever their cutural origins. Armidale is heavily multicultural and I for one enjoy shopping for food at a Middle East store! Last week I was nibbling Turkish food and today I've consumed some Iranian dates as I'm writing thos blog message. Here are some images of proceedings, staring with Barnaby Joyce - previously a deputy Prime Minister- addressing us with the Mayor and our state MP sitting to the left.
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All up the proceedings were very enjoyable.
AS
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