13 July 2009

New Australian citizens to receive special commemorative coins

New Australian citizens will now receive a practical gift on becoming citizens - a dollar.

The new commemorative AU$1 coin marking the 60th anniversary of Australian citizenship was launched last week and will be handed out as gifts to new citizens.

Perth Mint's Ron Currie said the coin, which features the Australian Coat of Arms, was likely to replace the citizenship medals normally given to the country's most recent official residents.

"We've had hundreds of councils advocating for years for a commemorative coin," he said.

"Just 60 years ago, most people living in Australia were regarded as British subjects, but on January 26, 1949, people born here automatically became Australian citizens," Mr Currie said.

"It was the first time we could truly call ourselves Australians."

The first Australian citizenship ceremony was held later in 1949 and since then more than four million people have been inducted as Australian citizens.

The coins will be produced annually, so new Australian citizens will receive a coin bearing the year of their naturalisation.

The coins are also available for purchase through Australia Post or the Perth Mint.

 

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The Australian Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people with Australian visas and immigration.