Freshly minted Aussies and a celebration of diversity at Coffs Harbour

Flags fluttered and people queued for family phone photos as 50 residents became Australian citizens at a moving ceremony at Coffs Harbour. 

It was an international gathering of excited guests in the River Oak Room at Yarrila Place on Wednesday 30 October for the warmly received occasion. 

The assembled included those from Myanmar, the United Kingdom, Iraq, South Africa, the United States, India and New Zealand, as a photo of The King ‘watched on’ while City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Nikki Williams did the honours as the presiding officer. 

The Singlish Girrwaa Duguula Choir kicked off proceedings with a performance punctuated by Gumbaynggirr Elder Uncle Micklo Jarrett with a Welcome to Country. 

“Goodness, I actually got a little bit teary then,” Mayor Williams said of the recital. 

“Coffs Harbour in particular prides itself on diversity ... citizenship is the common bond which unites all Australians. 

“Australia’s future success depends on how we all work together.” 

Among those taking The Pledge of citizenship was Kuljeet Kaur – originally from India - who settled at Woolgoolga in 2016. 

“I want to make this my home and to make it special,” said Ms Kaur who attended the ceremony with her husband Bhagwant Singh. 

City of Coffs Harbour holds a number of Citizenship Ceremonies across the year on behalf of the Minister for Home Affairs. 

The next ceremony will be held at Yarrila Place on 4 December. 

All applications for Citizenship need to be made directly to the Department of Home Affairs. 

For information about making an application visit the Department of Home Affairs website.  

Photo: Julia Imani with her certificate of citizenship and City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Nikki Williams.