NEW citizens will be welcomed to Australia at citizenship ceremonies across the country on January 26 – an important part of Australian Day celebrations.

Moree Plains Shire Council mayor, Susannah Pearse, conducts citizenship ceremonies regularly, but welcoming new citizens to Moree on Australia Day holds special significance.

Australian citizenship symbolises unity as a nation and represents commitment to Australia and its peoples.

“The energy and industry that new migrants have brought to Moree over the years has helped build and define our shire to what it is today, and I cannot wait to welcome new citizens to be part of our community,” Cr Pearse said.

“We want our communities to grow, and we want them to be vibrant, engaging places.”

As deputy mayor in 2024, Cr Pearse and then-mayor Mark Johnson welcomed Avtar Singh (India), Suchada Chasuntia (Thailand), Naowarat Chuenchom (Thailand), Thi Ngoc Thuy Hayne (Vietnam) and Sammu Arachchige Hasini Maheepala (Sri Lanka) to Australia.

This year, Cr Pearse will proudly wear the mayoral robes and welcome new citizens to Moree.

“Australia Day is an important day to many in our community, and one I am especially excited to be taking part in this year as mayor,” Cr Pearse said.

“Welcoming new citizens to our country and acknowledging the many residents who go above and beyond for our community will be a huge honour.”

Avtar Singh (India), Suchada Chasuntia (Thailand), Naowarat Chuenchom (Thailand), Thi Ngoc Thuy Hayne (Vietnam) and Sammu Arachchige Hasini Maheepala (Sri Lanka) were welcomed to Australia at the 2024 Australia Day celebrations in Moree.

There is a full schedule of events at the end of this article.

Moree Plains Shire Council this year received 25 nominations across seven Australia Day award categories, including Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Community Event of the Year, Community-Volunteer Group of the Year, Sports Person of the Year, Young Sports Person of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.

“Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination for this year’s awards,” Cr Pearse said.

“Many of the great things that happen in our region are only achieved through the toil of very generous and tireless volunteers, who do so not for recognition but for the benefit of others.

“It’s this spirit of volunteer service that makes our community great, so congratulations to all who were nominated and thank you sincerely for all that you do for our community.”

The theme for Australia Day this year is Reflect, Respect, and Celebrate, which perfectly portrays the ever-evolving story of Australia.

“This is especially relevant to our shire, as January 26 also marks the date of the Waterloo Creek massacre,” Cr Pearse said.

“The 1838 massacre, which occurred near the border of our shire, resulted in the deaths of tens to hundreds of local Aboriginal people.

“As such, it is a day of mixed emotions across our shire. The massacre will be commemorated with a walk and Survival Day event at Jellicoe Park, and I encourage those wanting to learn more, and to pay their respects, to attend,” she said.

Cr Pearse also welcomes to Moree, Linda Sparrow, the Moree Plains Shire Council Australia Day Ambassador.

Ms Sparrow, a passionate environmental advocate, is co-founder and president of Bangalow Koalas, whose work helps protect the future of Australia’s iconic koalas.

“This year we are delighted to have Linda as our Australia Day ambassador,” Cr Pearse said.

“Linda is a celebrated environmental advocate working to safeguard the future of koalas through planting native trees and creating ‘koala corridors’.

“She was Australian Geographic Society’s Conservationist of the Year in 2022 and an Australia Day 2024 Local Hero Nominee in New South Wales, and we look forward to welcoming her to our shire and hearing about her efforts,” Cr Pearse said.

Cr Pearse encourages residents and visitors across the Moree Plains Shire to celebrate a united Australia on January 26. A free breakfast courtesy of Moree Lions Club will be provided.

“As we all in our own way reflect, respect and celebrate our diverse Australian community and all the people of the Moree Plain Shire, I hope to see as many people as possible at our various events this Australia Day,” she said.

Australia Day Moree Awards Ceremony

When: Sunday, January 26

Where: Jellicoe Park, Moree

Time: From 8am, with awards ceremony commencing at 9am

A free breakfast courtesy of Moree Lions Club will be provided

Waterloo Creek Massacre Memorial Walk

11am: Memorial walk from Moree courthouse to Jellicoe Park

Midday: Survival Day event at Jellicoe Park

The Australia Day theme is Reflect, Respect, and Celebrate