A group of 20 people from seven countries officially joined the Australian family at a special ceremony today in Burnie, Tasmania as Australian Citizenship Day 2010 was launched.

The new Australians – who hail from countries including Japan, the United Kingdom, India and Korea – are the first of thousands of people across the country who will become citizens on and around Australian Citizenship Day on September 17.

“Australian Citizenship Day was introduced in 2001 as an opportunity for people to take pride in our citizenship and reflect on the meaning and importance of being Australian,” a Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) spokesman said.

“Citizenship is the bond which unites us all in our culturally diverse nation. It symbolises our sense of belonging to the country where we have been born or have decided to make our home.

“Australian Citizenship Day celebrations provide an occasion for all of us to be proud of being part of this great nation. It is also a special day for our newest Australians to join our extended family at ceremonies around the country.”

Some 3 600 people from 118 countries will become citizens at 69 ceremonies across Australia as part of Australian Citizenship Day.

DIAC and local government councils will host ceremonies in state and territory capital cities, major metropolitan centres and regional towns.

Ceremony venues will range from Adelaide’s Town Hall to the Yalgoo Shire Council in Western Australia’s Mid West region.

Brimbank City Council in Victoria is expected to welcome the largest number of new citizens (223) as part of their Australian Citizenship Day celebrations while Bombala Shire Council in New South Wales will welcome one proud new citizen to their local community.

For further information on local events and media talent, please contact DIAC National Communications 02 6264 2244.