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Department of Immigration and Citizenship
PARIS WELCOMES ITS FIRST CITIZENS IN 10 YEARS
On Friday 2 December 2005, the Paris team had the pleasure of organising a citizenship ceremony at the Embassy to welcome two French candidates, Kelly Fazilleau & Laurent Gasser, who had made the journey to the capital, to become Australian citizens.
Seventeen year old Kelly, who was accompanied by her mother (who had recently resumed her Australian citizenship), is in her final year of high school, and has plans live in Australia in the future.
Laurent, a ‘citizen of the world’, met his Australian wife in Peru, and although they lived and travelled overseas for some time, they had also settled in Australia after applying for migration. Laurent and his wife also have two sons, who are both Australian citizens.
Set against the backdrop of the Exhibition: 'Yilpinji, love, magic and ceremony' and 'Temps du Rêve, Temps des Hommes – 40 000 years of art in Australia'* and the Eiffel Tower, the solemn, yet intimate ceremony was conducted by Australian Ambassador to France, Ms Penny Wensley AO, assisted by DIMA Office Manager. After an inspiring speech by Ambassador Wensley on what it means to be an Australian citizen and the reading of rights and duties, Kelly and Laurent received their citizenship certificates.
It has been more than 10 years since a citizenship ceremony took place in the Paris Embassy, making it an even more special occasion for all the DIMA staff, all of whom contributed to preparing for the event. After photos against the flickering lights of the Eiffel Tower and in the evocative setting of the indigenous art exhibition, a “vin d’honneur” was offered, to complete the celebration.
* 22 November 2005 - 28 February 2006