Golden Plains welcomed nine residents as the Shire's newest citizens at Council’s first virtual citizenship ceremony on Tuesday afternoon.
Due to the current lockdown, the planned ceremony was unable to be held in person, with the new citizens instead taking part over Zoom from home. The ceremony was livestreamed so families and friends could tune in live and celebrate the occasion.
Mayor Cr Helena Kirby oversaw the ceremony on behalf of the Hon Alex Hawke MP, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, with Golden Plains Shire Council CEO Eric Braslis and Cr Clayton Whitfield also in attendance.
The cohort of new citizens was diverse, with residents originating from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Bangladesh, Singapore, New Zealand and Ireland. The Shire’s newest citizens came from all corners of the municipality, including: Meredith, Scarsdale, Teesdale, Ross Creek and Bannockburn.
Congratulations to Tsjipke Van der Veen, Brian McCarthy, Marshia Nishita, Patricia Skelton, Qian Yeo and Adrian, Gillian, Cliona and Sean Hume!
The ceremony was followed by the August Ordinary Meeting of Council, which also took place virtually.