Brimbank has welcomed 220 new Australian citizens as one of its most public figures was announced as a Member of the Order at its Australia Day ceremony in Sunshine this morning.
Hundreds gathered at Kevin Wheelahan Gardens for the official citizenship ceremony where Brimbank swore in the highest number of Australians for any other municipality in the state.
Brimbank council administrator John Tanner was also announced as an AM in the general division for services to state and federal politics with the Australian National Party and to the community of Benalla.
“And I think we can add to the community of Brimbank,” chair of administrators John Watson said.
FORMER VICTORIAN PREMIER JOHN BRUMBY SINGS THE NATIONAL ANTHEM WITH BRIMBANK ADMINISTRATORS JOHN WATSON, JANE NATHAN AND JOHN TANNER, WHO WAS ANNOUNCED AS A MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA.
Reflecting on Brimbank’s “incredible diversity”, Mr Watson urged new Australians to consider representing their community at a local government level.
“You’ll have the honour, the opportunity and the responsibility to vote in October of this year after a long period, seven years, of administration,” he said.
“You might even thinking about standing for council if you think you’d make a good councillor, check it out.
“You might know somebody who might make a good councillor, have a talk with them and encourage them to think about it.
BRIMBANK CITIZEN OF THE YEAR DESPINA HAVELAS WITH SOME OF BRIMBANK’S FINEST
“If nothing else, when Brimbank votes in October, Brimbank deserves a good council.”
He said much of Brimbank’s wealth was “in its rich cultural traditions of its citizens and what you bring to your new home” with almost half of its population born overseas.
“We welcome you with open arms,” he said.
The crowd whooped and hollered as 220 new Australians took the oath in front of Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and former Victorian Premier John Brumby, who said Brimbank was a “beacon of inspiration”.
“You really do know how to turn on a great celebration,” he said.
“Diversity is what makes us strong as a nation. You will help us write the next chapter of the next, great Australian story.”
