Northern Beaches Council will welcome 60 new citizens at a citizenship ceremony today as part of Australian Citizenship Day 2020.

The conferees from 23 countries from almost every continent will become Australian citizens as part of a ceremony at the Glen Street Theatre.

Mayor Michael Regan said the ceremony was an opportunity for all Australians, whether they are citizens by birth or by choice, to come together to acknowledge what’s great about being Australian.

“Each year on Australian Citizenship Day—17 September—we reflect on the meaning and importance of Australian citizenship and the shared values that unite us

“Citizenship means a lot. It’s a life-long commitment to Australia’s values of freedom, democracy, equality and respect,” Mayor Regan said.

Australian Citizenship Day provides an occasion for individuals, schools, community groups and organisations to reflect on the contributions of citizens to our local communities.

COVID-19 guidelines resulted in fewer citizenship ceremonies than usual this year. Even so, more than 2500 people will receive citizenship at more than 100 online or in-person ceremonies across the country today.