Liberal Member for Southern River


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Australia Day 2009 welcome speech for New Citizens given at the City of Gosnells PDF Print E-mail

Australia Day 2009 welcome speech for New Citizens given at the City of Gosnells Citizenship ceremony.

Congratulations to those who have just become Australian citizens.  Welcome to the community we call Australia!

I well remember January 1974 when I became an Australian citizen.   There was a great sense of pride  that welled up within me as a young man, that yes -  I am now an Australian citizen!   And as I have travelled overseas, to say that I am an Australian, is something I always say with pride.

Becoming  a citizen of Australia is like joining a family.    Every family has its own way of doing things.  It has its customs, rules - some written and some unwritten and some even unspoken - but these give the family its unique character.  And likewise with Australia.   We are a nation made of people from many different backgrounds.   We have our indigenous people; we have those who are descended from the people on board the 11 ships that sailed into Sydney Harbor on Jan 26, 1788, while others have come in more recent times.   Each has made their contribution, and each has contributed something to the fabric of our nation.   I trust that each of you who have become Australian citizens today will also make your contribution to enriching and strengthening the fabric of Australian society.

No matter when we have become Australian citizens, it is important that all of us uphold those values and institutions which help to sustain the very fabric of our Australian society with its strong sense of a fair go for everyone, its freedoms and democracy.   For these values and institutions have made Australia the great, free nation that it is. 

As you celebrate Australia Day today, may I encourage you to reflect on what it means to be Australian.  Let's  celebrate being Australian and give thanks to God for the privilege of being Australians.

January 26, 2009

Peter Abetz

 

 

 
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Community Notices

3rd September

Fred Hollows foundation Day  - Support an organisation whose vision is for a world where no one is needlessly blind, and Indigenous Australians enjoy the same health and life expectancy as other Australians.  http://www.hollows.org.au/

5th September

National Child Protection Week - activities are held throughout Australia promoting community awareness of child abuse and neglect in all of its forms, the dramatic benefits of positive parenting towards the prevention of child abuse and neglect, and the role communities must play in preventing child abuse and neglect before it starts.

http://www.napcan.org.au/child-protection-week

5th September

Father’s Day 

8th September

International Literacy Day - there are now close to four billion literate people in the world. However, literacy for all children, youth and adults- is still an unaccomplished goal and an ever moving target  http://www.un.org/depts/dhl/literacy/

17th September

Australian Citizenship Day is an opportunity for all Australians to reflect on the meaning and importance of our Citizenship. http://www.citizenship.gov.au/events/citizenship_day/

24th September

Term Three of the WA school year ends today.

27th September

The Queen's Birthday – public holiday.