Nine new Australians will celebrate becoming an Australian citizen at this year’s Central Queensland Multicultural Fair and CQU Open Day at the Rockhampton campus this Sunday, August 17.

As part of the official opening of this year’s Multicultural Fair, the Rockhampton City Council in conjunction with CQU and ABC Capricornia will mark this important milestone in the lives of these new citizens.

According to Multicultural Fair organiser Gina Yarrow, citizenship ceremonies have an important symbolic role because they formally welcome new citizens from many cultures into the Australian family.

“We are very proud to be able to welcome these new Aussies and celebrate their citizenship at the Multicultural Fair,” Ms Yarrow said.

“I think the Multicultural Fair is the ideal location to hold a citizenship ceremony. Each year we celebrate the multicultural diversity of Central Queensland at the Fair, but this year we get to see first hand some of our international sisters and brothers being sworn in as new Aussies.

The Multicultural Fair kicks off at 10am, with the official opening beginning at 10.15am at the main stage. The day will conclude at 4pm.

This year’s Multicultural Fair has attracted first class performers such as Jazz diva Grace Knight and maritime storyteller and island music sensation Seaman Dan, and for the children Bananas in Pyjamas will perform twice throughout the day.

Another highlight of the day will be the variety in international foods. From Asian to Indian, along with good Aussie cuisine, the Multicultural Fair has something for everyone.

The CQ Multicultural Fair and CQU Open Day is organised by CQU and ABC Capricornia, with support from The Morning Bulletin and the Rockhampton City Council.

Look out for your CQ Multicultural Fair and CQU Open Day program inserted in this Friday’s The Morning Bulletin and Central Queensland News and in Thursday’s Central Telegraph.