Totsiens, South Africa, It's A Wide Brown Land For Me

For the Carey family, Australia Day was more than just a birthday; it was the day they finally became Australian citizens. The family of four celebrated the milestone in front of thousands of people in a citizenship ceremony in Hyde Park.

Common Language Comes First: Pm

THE most important thing Australians of all backgrounds should have in common is the English language, the Prime Minister, John Howard, said yesterday at a citizenship ceremony in Canberra.

Give People Reasons To Love Australia And They Will

In line with the paternalistic attitudes which Peter Debnam (and many other non-progressive "mainstreamers") seems to think necessary when dealing with migrants, a good example should be to first set the correct Australian way of living in Australia ("Debnam tests water in debate on citizenship", January 25).

Refugee Family Flies A New Flag

THE Kosic family, who fled the former Yugoslavia as refugees, will be among the 97 citizenship candidates scheduled to become Australians today.

Welcome Ceremony Gone To The Dogs

AMONG the very best Australia Day functions are the morning ceremony in the Royal Botanic Gardens and any of the citizenship ceremonies around the country.

Debnam Tests Water In Debate On Citizenship

THE NSW Opposition Leader, Peter Debnam, has weighed into the debate on Australian values with a pledge to overhaul multiculturalism and ensure that ethnic communities "embrace a common Australia".

Andrews To Lead Drive For Citizens

THE Prime Minister, John Howard, is riding the wave of national sentiment before Australia Day, renaming one of his key departments the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

Athlete Runs Into Trouble

Hopefully marathon runner Mushir Salem Jawher really enjoyed winning the Tiberias marathon in Israel last week. The athlete is now stateless as a result. Born Leonard Mucheru, he previously defected to Bahrain from Kenya but now he has been stripped of his new citizenship for entering Israel. To make matters worse, Kenyan authorities say they will not give him back their nationality. "I was never told it was illegal to enter Israel," Jawher told a Kenyan newspaper. "I really don't know what to ...