Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding citizenship ceremonies. I am writing in response as I am the acting director responsible for community wellbeing. Council recognises that citizenship ceremonies are important events for Banyule Council and for residents who are becoming new citizens. They are presented as a significant and celebratory day for citizens and an opportunity for the community to welcome newly naturalised residents and celebrate the multiculturalism of the Australian population.
Citizenship ceremonies are traditionally held on 26 January however Australia Day, and its history, is becoming complex for many Australians. It is a particularly difficult date for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents and communities as it marks the beginning of First Nations dispossession and European settlement. Since 2022 there is no longer a requirement for Council to hold citizenship ceremonies on the 26 January. The Australian Government supports ceremonies being held any day in the week around 26 January. Banyule joins more than 20 other Victorian councils no longer holding Australia Day citizenship ceremonies.
Banyule City Council has a Reconciliation Advisory Committee of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents who represent this community. They have recommended that Banyule City Council hold citizenship ceremonies on days other than 26 January starting with Wednesday 24 January 2024.
We host citizenship ceremonies throughout the year. In 2024, we will host a ceremony in January, March, June and September. We look forward to hosting our next citizenship ceremony on 24 January, where we will welcome 166 people as Australian citizens to Banyule.
Kind regardsGeorgieGeorgie MeyerActing Director Community Wellbeing
