Wollongong welcomes new citizens this Harmony Week

This week we’re recognising Harmony Week as a chance to celebrate our community’s cultural diversity.

This year the theme is everyone belongs, a message that promotes inclusiveness, shared respect and a sense of belonging within our community.

To coincide with Harmony Week, Council held a citizenship ceremony on Friday 19 March to welcome and recognise 30 Wollongong community members as Australian citizens.

“Respect, equality and freedom are shared Australia values that go beyond our different cultures and backgrounds. It is these shared values that makes Australia, and in turn Wollongong, such as great place to live,” Wollongong City Council Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said.

“Taking the step to become an Australian citizen is an important decision and our citizenship ceremonies can be meaningful and emotional events for some members of our community. It is a privilege to be able to welcome these people as Australian citizens and valued members of the Wollongong community.”

Harmony Week is held from 15 to 21 March and is celebrated across Australia with a number of different events, citizenship ceremonies and activities.

Wollongong City Council has recently joined the Welcoming Cities Network. The Welcoming Cities network is a national network of cities, shires, towns and municipalities who are committed to an Australia where everyone can belong and participate in social, cultural, economic and civic life.

“Although Harmony Week is an important annual celebration, we can all continue to practice the message of respect and belonging everyday of the year,” Cr Bradbery said.

“Wollongong is a diverse community, and it’s this diversity that makes our city a great place to be.  We have a long history of welcoming migrants to our community and over the years Wollongong has grown to become a truly multicultural city.”

Visit the Harmony Week website to register your own Harmony Week event or check out what’s already happening in your community.