Somerset welcomes 74 new citizens for Australia Day
Published on 26 January 2026
SOMERSET is now the proud home to 74 new Australian citizens.
Somerset Regional Council celebrated the milestone at its Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony on Monday, 26 January at the Somerset Civic Centre in Esk.
The 74 conferees hail from Bangladesh, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Samoa, South Africa, Thailand, United Kingdom and Vietnam.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said it was an honour to lead the new Australians in reciting the Citizenship Pledge.
“It is a privilege to welcome so many wonderful people from such diverse backgrounds to Australia,” Cr Wendt said.
“These ceremonies are an important part of our nation’s celebrations, with more than 300 ceremonies held across the country on Australia Day and almost 19,000 people taking the pledge.
“Australia Day gives all citizens the opportunity to reflect on what it means to be an Aussie and to celebrate our great nation, our rich indigenous and migrant history and our promising future.
“It is heartwarming to see so many people choosing to call Australia, and Somerset, their home.”
Cr Wendt thanked 2026 Australia Day Ambassador Hani Watson PLY, Federal and State Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington for joining the ceremony.
All conferees received certificates, Australian flags, bags of goodies and a small native Australian tree, callistemon viminalis, Somerset’s faunal emblem.
Somerset Regional Council will hold additional citizenship ceremonies throughout 2026.