Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony 2008, Wittonga Park, The Gap

A flag raising ceremony began the Rotary Club of Ashgrove/The Gap’s Australian Citizenship Ceremony at Wittonga Park, Hilder Road, The Gap on Saturday 26 January 2008, at 8:00am.

Then at 8:15am, applicants, their guests and local residents gathered in the shade of the large marquee for the official addresses and the official citizenship ceremony.

Councillor Geraldine Knapp, who presided at the 15th citizenship ceremony in association with the Rotary Club of Ashgrove/The Gap, told the gathering that people taking Australian citizenship had built a colourful and effective community over the past 50 years.

After taking the Oath of Allegiance each of the 26 new Australian citizens received the gift of a tree from the Brisbane City Council to mark the occasion. The Member for Ashgrove, Kate Jones MP, congratulated new citizens and wished them the best for their future. She then vocally lead the chorus of all present singing the Australia Anthem.

Local residents were invited to attend and take the opportunity to reaffirm their Australian citizenship before enjoying a lamington and damper for morning tea.

Refreshments were sponsored by The Coffee Club, Baker’s Delight and Coles, with lively musical entertainment from the Royal Bounty Bush Band.

President, Dianne O'Malley said that in 1993 the Rotary Club of Ashgrove/The Gap became the first Rotary club in Australia to hold an Australia Day Citizenship ceremony.

“On Australia Day 2008, hundreds of Brisbane residents, representing many nationalities, adopted Australian Citizenship at ceremonies sponsored by the Rotary Clubs,” Di said.

Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony coordinator, Glenda Pearce, said a similar ceremony would be held in Wittonga Park on January 26 2009.

“All local residents are invited to come along and share morning tea and reaffirm their citizenship vows.

“Intending attendees should phone 3300 3685,” Glenda said.