Amir Hammad from Egypt and Jerome Herveux taking the oath during Australia Day celebrations in Broome. Pic: Shire of Broome/Simon Penn

Broome shire sent in these Australia Day pics of two brand new citizens.

They are Amir Hammad from Egypt and Jerome Herveux from France taking the oath during Australia Day celebrations with Shire President Graeme Campbell.

Kathleen Cox

Broome’s shire president announced three Premiers’ Active Citizenship awards at Town Beach this morning.

They went to Gwen Knox, Rhiannon Hutcheson and Beagle Bay Women’s Group.

You can read a shire media release here:

25 January 2012 EMBARGO – 10am 26 January 2012 Outstanding locals recognised on Australia Day

Gwen Knox, Rhianon Hutcheson and the Beagle Bay Women’s Group have been recognised with Premier’s Active Citizenship Awards during Australia Day celebrations at Town Beach in Broome.

Broome Shire President Graeme Campbell presented the prestigious accolades and said the State-wide awards acknowledged and rewarded local residents and groups for their contributions to community life.

“Gwen is being recognised for her tireless efforts, creativity and time put into organising some of Broome’s favourite events including Worn Art, Sandfly Circus, Theatre Kimberley and Shinju Matsuri’s Carnival of Lights,” Cr Campbell said.

“She has a natural ability to inspire youth in Broome and its surrounding communities through these projects.

“Rhianon has been awarded the Under 25 Years Award. She is an extremely active member of the community who is always willing to get her hands dirty for a good cause.

“She is studying nursing and fills her spare time by getting involved in many community organisations. She is involved in the Kimberley Regional Allied Students in Health, Headspace Kimberley Youth Advisory committee and represented the Kimberley at the CHOGM youth forum.

“The Premier’s Australia Day Active Citizenship Award for a Community Group goes to the Beagle Bay Women’s Group.

“The group was formed by a number of strong women who came together to improve the lives of Beagle Bay families. They began to meet every morning, talking about what they could do to create work and provide support for the young people.

“They have been engaged by the Red Cross to provide the Breakfast Club for school children in the community, and recognising the need for early childhood services have received support to deliver a playgroup service.

“I congratulate Gwen, Rhianon and the Beagle Bay Women’s Group for exemplifying community spirit and thank everyone who attended the event on Australia Day.”

They are Amir Hammad from Egypt and Jerome Herveux from France.

You can read a shire media release here:

MEDIA RELEASE

23 January 2012 For immediate release

Broome’s newest citizens celebrate Australia Day

Broome will join towns and regions across the nation in welcoming its newest citizens as part of Australia Day 2012 celebrations.

Amir Hammad from Egypt and Jerome Herveux from France will become Australian citizens in a special ceremony conducted by Shire of Broome President Graeme Campbell at Town Beach’s Pioneer Park on January 26.

“Australia Day is a special day for all Australians to acknowledge what we love about this nation and a chance for us to celebrate our Australian citizenship as the bond which unites us all, whether we are Australian by birth or by choice,” Cr Campbell said.

“It’s a particularly significant occasion for those Broome residents choosing to become Australian citizens, as they pledge their commitment to Australia and its people and accept the privileges and responsibilities of Australian citizenship.

“On the most popular day of the year to become an Australian citizen, our ceremony is one of some 365 across every state and territory, with about 13,700 people scheduled to become citizens around the nation.”

In Broome the citizenship ceremony will take place as part of the Combined Community Service Clubs Breakfast, along with the presentation of the Premier’s Active Citizenship Awards.

The ceremony will start at 8.15am and be followed by live music, the thong throwing competition and free train rides and balloons for the kids.

The Shire is committed to ensuring local events are accessible and inclusive for everyone. A sign language interpreter will cover the formal proceedings and the Platypus Aquatics Wheelchair will be available to families who wish to access the water park.

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