Ang Kalatas October 2015 Issue | Page 8

08 IMMIGRATION THE MESSAGE. BRINGING INTO FOCUS FILIPINO PRESENCE IN AUSTRALIA www.kalatas.com.au | Volume 6 Number 1 | OCTOBER 2015 457 Visa to a Filipino Gardener W 6,000 NEW CITIZENS FROM OVER 100 COUNTRIES Australian Citizenship Day MORE than 6,000 migrants from over 100 countries became Australian citizens last month in time for the celebration of the ‘Australian Citizenship Day’ which falls on 17 September every year, according to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection. Australian Citizenship Day is a special day to reflect on and celebrate being an Australian citizen. “Australian Citizenship is more than a legal status. It is our common bond that represents our shared democratic beliefs and gives us a sense of belonging and pride in our achievements as a nation,” the DIBP website states. All Australians are encouraged to value their Australian citizenship and the contributions that citizens make in shaping the nation. Active citizens strengthen Australia by working to improve their local community. Australian Citizenship Day is a day to recognise the contributions of inspiring citizens in our community. In 2001, Australian Citizenship Day was launched to increase community awareness of Australian citizenship. Australian Citizenship Day now provides a main point for citizenship-related activities and celebrations. It was introduced as a result of a recommendation by the Australian Citizenship Council. The September 17 date was chosen because it is the anniversary of the renaming of the Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948 to the Australian Citizenship Act 1948. [text/photo from DIBP/border.gov.au] ho would think that a gardener working in the remote town of Newman, Western Australia, about 1,186 kilometres from Perth CBD, would be granted Temporary Work (Skilled) 457 f