Sixty-one new citizens make the pledge in Somerset
Published on 17 July 2026
Somerset Regional Council Mayor Jason Wendt and Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann with three new Australian citizens: Cholette, Arianne and Nicole Bucal.
SOMERSET is now the proud home to 61 new Australian citizens.
Somerset Regional Council celebrated the milestone at a Citizenship Ceremony on Thursday, 16 July at the Somerset Civic Centre in Esk.
The 61 conferees hail from Bangladesh, Chile, Colombia, Ireland, Malaysia, New Zealand, Russia, the Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
Mayor Jason Wendt said it was a privilege to welcome people from so many diverse backgrounds.
“These ceremonies are the final step in the journey to becoming an Australian Citizen, and it’s an honour to be part of this moment,” Cr Wendt said.
“It’s heartwarming to see so many people choosing to call Australia, and Somerset, their home.”
Cr Wendt thanked the citizens for their commitment.
“By taking the Australian citizenship pledge the new citizens have announced their loyalty to the country and accepted the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship,” Cr Wendt said.
“Our region’s culture and community is all the richer with our new citizens.”
Cr Wendt thanked Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann for joining the ceremony.
The new citizens each received certificates, Australian flags, a welcome gift pack and a small bottlebrush tree.
Jorge Reyes (right) now calls Somerset home, pictured with Hanalein and little Margaux.
Somerset Regional Council welcomed 28 new citizens hailing from the Philippines, including Kevin and Jaickobe Catan.