Australian Citizenship Ceremony

“Australians all let us rejoice”

Yep, we certainly did rejoice!

As of last week, our family became Australian Citizens…. and what a fantastic day it was.

We were lucky enough to have slipped into the last ceremony of 2009, which also happens to be the year that Queensland clocked up it’s 150th birthday – a double excuse for a celebration.

The ceremony was quite an occasion, with close to 300 people becoming citizens together, including 2 of my very dearest friends, all pledging our Oath to the Australian way of life.

Gina, Vicky and Sam - new Aussies!

Once the formalities and the official presentation of the certificates, flags and small native plants (?) were given, we were invited to gorge on a rather lavish morning tea (complete with Anzac biscuits and lamingtons) under the shade of the swaying palm trees.

Then, when we had exhausted the nibblies and forced the Deputy Mayor into posing for/taking photos of us – we decided to do the respectful Aussie thing – so we headed down to the beach for a barbie.

Deputy Mayor Cr Tim Dyer... and me.

It was a wonderful afternoon, only slightly marred by my friend’s 4 year old daughter who came screaming out of the sea with an enormous Blue bottle jelly fish wrapped painfully around her leg – but in true Aussie fashion, she soldiered on after the initial shock and shaking fits had worn off. Then we all enjoyed an afternoon of sausages, kebabs and prawns the size of a size 5 thong.

I have to say I feel mighty proud to be a semi-true-blue Aussie…. in a very English way.

…”In history’s page let every stage – Advance Australia Fair”

For more information on Australian Citizenship, check out

http://www.citizenship.gov.au/ 

Merry Christmas to you all – hope to see you over here soon.

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