Southern Downs Regional Council will officially welcome nine new residents on Monday 9 July when they take the pledge to become Australian citizens.

Nine of the region’s residents will pledge their loyalty to Australia at a special Citizenship Ceremony at Warwick Town Hall. The region’s newest Australian Citizens now call the Southern Downs home after relocating from nations around the world including the Philippines, Brazil and the United Kingdom. The Southern Downs residents set to become Australian Citizens are: Rose Albendia, Roderic Antonio, Hannah Antonio, Roma Antonio, Joel Ces, Iya Ces, Joleen Ces, Jales De Oliveira and Barry Hadkins.

Southern Downs Mayor Tracy Dobie will present the new citizens with a native Australian plant to mark the occasion before they each make the Australian Citizenship Pledge and together, sing the Australian National Anthem. Cr Dobie said she is proud to welcome the new Australian Citizens to the Southern Downs. “Celebrating our cultural diversity is at the very heart of what it means to be Australian and I wish our new citizens well on their new journey in their adopted country, as they build a new life in Australia,” Cr Dobie said. “These new citizens bring with them cultural heritage and traditions which add to the rich fabric of our community.

The citizenship ceremony will begin at 9:30am with light refreshments to be served following the conclusion of the ceremony at 11am. Southern Downs Regional Council hosts a number of Australian Citizenship Ceremonies annually.

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