New citizens call Australia home

Fifty-two people from 14 countries will officially become Australian citizens during Australia Day celebrations in Geraldton on Sunday.

Of the inductees, 29 are male and 23 are female. Their ages range from nine to 64.

There are two families of four and four families of three.

The people becoming Aussies hail from Egypt, Philippines, Germany, Britain, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Nepal, Thailand, Canada, Ireland, Pakistan, Poland, India and Sri Lanka.

Cheryl Kickett-Tucker, Australia Day ambassador for the City of Greater Geraldton who has family links with the Mid West, will officiate at the citizenship ceremony — after presenting citizen of the year awards at Mullewa.

There will also be a WA Active Citizen of the Year award presented in Geraldton and an award for a community organisation.

One of the highlights of Australia Day on the foreshore will be the Geraldton Yacht Club Dragon Boat Classic — held against a backdrop of beating drums and chants and cheers from competitors and crowds alike.

This is the first time the classic has been held on Australia Day in Geraldton.

Yamaji Art workshops, a kids beach party, pop-up maze and a display by the Batavia Coast Veteran and Classic Vehicle Club are other activities.

But the drawcard event, especially for the young, will be the fireworks at 8.30pm.

“We will do the best we can,” Ken Boyland of West Coast Fireworks, pictured, said.

High-energy headline act Shakedown —who will play earlier — will close the Australia Day activities.

See the City of Greater Geraldton’s Australia Day events program in the Geraldton Guardian (Friday, January 24).