Scott Buchholz (Wright, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last week I had the great pleasure of joining the local mayor of Scenic Rim, Greg Christensen, and a number of councillors, at Jubilee Park, to welcome no less than 12 new Australian citizens to our community. Many have lived in our region for many, many years and have come from vast and very different backgrounds; however, one interest that they all shared was they all wanted to become proud Australians and share in our Australian values and our rich history, to defend and protect our hard-fought-for freedoms, and to embrace all that it means to be an Australian. We are all proud people, having survived and thrived as a nation following the cruelty of wars, depressions, droughts and floods. The 12 new Australians who received their citizenships are now part of the great story. I officially welcome each of them as proud Australians.

Beaudesert residents also enjoyed a fantastic day of fun, market stalls and activities as part of the Scenic Rim's Queensland Day celebrations. The Scenic Rim community celebrated Queensland's 159th birthday, complete with a birthday cake and songs. The celebration went on well into the afternoon and included displays, stalls from local services and communities groups, performances by artists, students and dance groups. In the spirit of Queensland Day and with the State of Origin looming, all I have left to say is: go the Queenslanders, go the maroons—and I acknowledge some proud Queenslanders up in the gallery.