Kiama’s official Australia Day celebrations kicked off in quintessential Aussie style, with a BBQ by the beach and a welcome to a raft of new citizens.

Kiama Council’s Australia Day festivities took place at Jones Beach this year, with official proceedings in the Surf Club, including a Welcome To Country, address from Australia Day Ambassador Bruce Elder, and of course, the Citizenship Ceremony. Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips was also on hand to represent the Federation’s involvement in welcoming new citizens.

The Welcome To Country was delivered by Aunty Jodie Stewart and proceedings MC’d by Mayor Neil Reilly, who reminded everyone of how lucky we are to spend our national day in such a picturesque and pristine environment.

Bruce Elder

Australian journalist Bruce Elder, perhaps best known for penning the 1988 book ‘Blood on the Wattle,’ told the story of how his wife became an Australian citizen 15 years ago. Bruce’s wife told him that it’s easy for Australians to forget that when someone becomes a new citizen, they also have to make sacrifices, like not being able to return to their hometown to see their family whenever they’d like.

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L to R: Councillors Mark Croxford, Karen Renkema-Lang, Imogen Draisma, The Bleau family, Councillor Stuart Larkins and Mayor Reilly

There were 12 fresh Australian citizens who gave the pledge to make their citizenship official, including three members of the Bleau family. 

After that, guests saw a Smoking Ceremony and traditional dances led by Uncle Richard, followed by a raising of the Australian, Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander flags.

Congratulations to all the new Australian citizens! You can see all their pics below:

Councillor Stuart Larkins, new citizen Beverly Blackmore, and Mayor Neil Reilly

Councillors Karen Renkema-Lang, Imogen Draisma, Stuart Larkins, new citizen Jane Every, and Mayor Neil Reilly

New citizen Marc Griffiths

Councillor Karen Renkema-Lang and Kiama Commuity Radio's Bernie Hems (also a new citizen!)

New citizen Rebecca Morgan

New citizen Noah Radford

New citizen Jillian White