Fifteen Scenic Rim residents from nine countries have been welcomed as the region’s newest Australians at a citizenship ceremony during Queensland Day celebrations in Beaudesert.
Jubilee Park took on a carnival atmosphere with Scenic Rim Regional Council’s free family fun day providing an early celebration of Queensland’s 164th birthday on 6 June and acknowledging National Reconciliation Week.
Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen, who conducted the Queensland Day citizenship ceremony, said it was a privilege to be part of each new citizen’s journey in becoming a ‘true blue’ Australian.
“Today we have 15 individuals from nine countries who are about to begin a new chapter in their own story as they formally become Australian citizens,” he said.
“While they have all come from very different parts of the world, they share one thing in common – all have chosen to make the Scenic Rim their home.”
Live entertainment featured performances by the Mununjali Ngari dancers and students from Beaudesert State High School.
Local community organisations also held stalls with face painting and games on offer.
Canungra resident Courtney Guerin, originally from the United States of America, was one of the fifteen people who became Australian citizens.
“I am so excited about it, I’ve been waiting for quite some time to do this. It is really good knowing I’m part of the country now,” she said.
