The ranks of Australian citizens in the Wattle Range Council area swelled by six on Australia Day.
The newcomers are Dori Gray, Timothy McClelland, Chariefe Mansfield, Parichada Srisuree, Diane Leahy and Celestina Marlick.
Mayor Des Noll officiated at their invitation-only citizenship ceremony at the Millicent War Memorial Civic and Arts Centre.
The new citizens come from five the Philippines, Canada, Thailand, United Kingdom and the German Democratic Republic and have made their homes in five different towns in the council area (Millicent, Penola, Beachport, Kalangadoo and Glencoe).
The citizenship ceremony had the traditional elements of reciting the citizenship pledge and singing Advance Australia Fair.
Mayor Noll read out messages of congratulation from Immigration Minister Alex Hawke, Member for Barker Tony Pasin and Labor MLC Clare Scriven and submitted their apologies for non-attendance.
“Australia has succeeded as a nation by embracing – and defending – our national values,” stated Mr Hawke in his message read out by Mayor Noll.
“We believe in the freedom and dignity of each individual, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of association.
“We value the rule of law, democracy and equality of opportunity for all people.
“We stand with other democracies in helping to defend and protect these hard-fought freedoms.
“We are a resilient nation.
“Drought, bushfires, floods and a global pandemic have challenged our normal way of life.
“Our social cohesion – a key strength of Australia – has never been more important.
“Upon taking the pledge of commitment today, I call on you to embrace these values – and the rights and responsibilities of Australian citizenship – and play an active part in your local communities to build an even stronger nation.”
Ms Scriven was represented at the ceremony by Labor candidate for MacKillop and former Wattle Range Mayor Mark Braes.
Meanwhile, the Wattle Range Council Australia Day Award recipients were also honoured at the citizenship ceremony.
The usual Millicent, Beachport, Penola, Kalangadoo, Southend, and Tantanoola Australia Day social events had been cancelled due to COVID factors.
Elected representatives from the four wards presented the winners with their awards and flowers.
The master of ceremonies was council’s development services director Emma Clay and the events were live-streamed by council on social media.
The two Australia Day events in Millicent had a restricted attendance and COVID protocols were observed.
