Today I was able to recognise, welcome and celebrate the 83 new citizens in our local community in a Community Recognition Statement:



Cultural diversity is a wonderful aspect of living in Australia - we have one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world so it was a pleasure to welcome over 35 new citizens to the Charlestown Electorate at the Lake Macquarie City Council's citizenship ceremony held on September 17.

The new citizens came from across the globe from as close as New Zealand to parts of Asia including Thailand, the Philippines, China and Pakistan. New citizens also came from across Africa from places as diverse as Kenya, Namibia, South Africa and Egypt; to Europe including Spain, France, Ireland and the United Kingdom and in South America, new citizens from Brazil.

This wonderful diversity adds to the ever-growing multicultural community of Charlestown and makes our community a wonderful place to live.

I welcome all new citizens to the Charlestown community and wish them all the very best for the future.