Despite not hosting Australia Day celebrations both Hume and Whittlesea councils will proceed with their respective citizenship ceremonies.
Hume will host its ceremony at the Town Hall in Broadmeadows from 9.30am and Whittlesea will host its ceremony at the Plenty Ranges Arts & Convention centre in South Morang from 10.30am.
A spokesperson from Hume said the council does not hold Australia Day celebrations but instead will proceed with a citizenship ceremony like they do many times throughout the year.
“Our residents are our key focus, and we also acknowledge that many community members want to complete their journey to Australian Citizenship in connection with Australia Day,” the spokesperson said.
“This year, we look forward to welcoming almost 150 new Australian citizens to Hume City.
“With Australia Day approaching, we would like to acknowledge that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are the first and original people of this land, and that many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience genuine pain, sadness, feelings of loss and disconnection on this day.
“Australia Day is also a day when we reflect on our Australian values of democracy, diversity, and fairness– but we would encourage everyone to consider what this date really means in the history of our nation and its effect on the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.”
Whittlesea chair administrator Lydia Wilson said the council would proceed with its ceremonies.
“On January 26, 2023, council will be hosting two citizenship ceremonies at the Plenty Ranges Arts & Convention centre in South Morang,” she said.
“While we are not holding any other activities on 26 January, our free Summer Series program is running throughout January and February.”
