On Sunday the Western Bulldogs hosted their ninth annual Citizenship Ceremony in conjunction with the Department of Immigration and Border Protection to celebrate World Refugee Week.

The theme for Refugee Week 2014 was “Restoring Hope” and the ceremony personifies that message, welcoming conferees into the Australian family.

The ceremony demonstrates the end to a long and often difficult journey for some migrants, proving that hope can be restored in building a new life in a new community.

The ceremony captured the final step for the 43 conferees, coming from 16 different countries, into formally becoming Australian Citizens.

 Deputy Mayor of Maribyrnong City Council, Councillor Nam Quach, was Presiding Officer during the proceedings, and led the pledge for the conferees to recite.

This year also marks the celebration of 65 years of Australian Citizenship, after a total of seven people became citizens at the first Australian Citizenship Ceremony in 1949.

Following the formal proceedings  the new citizens and their guests also attended the Round 15 Western Bulldogs’ win against the Melbourne Demons at Etihad Stadium.