Narrabri businessowner Thavin Kong is the shire’s newest Australian citizen following his naturalisation at the Australia Day celebration held at The Crossing Theatre.
Welcoming new citizens has become a much-loved component of the local festivities, and Mr Kong was applauded for taking the oath of citizenship.
Mr Kong, originally from Cambodia, has lived in Narrabri for almost five years and has made the town his home along with his young family.
Mayor Darrell Tiemens presided over the ceremony, with Member for Parkes Mark Coulton reading a message from the Minister for Immigration.
“When you make the citizenship pledge you take on the privileges and responsibilities of Australian citizenship. From that moment your journey and heritage will become part of our shared Australian story,” the Minister’s message read.
Attendees were also invited to repeat the Australian citizenship pledge of commitment out loud before the formalities concluded.
Nation-wide, more than 380 citizenship ceremonies were conducted as part of Australia Day, with 20,600 people from more than 150 countries invited to attend those ceremonies.
The new citizens joined more than six million other Australians who have had their citizenship conferred since the first ceremony in 1949.
Australia welcomes every new citizen who pledges their commitment to Australia and commits to the nation’s shared values.
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