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The Pledge is a web series that highlights the personal stories of people who have become Australian citizens. See these new Aussies talk about an anniversary they will always remember - the day they took their pledge. As CEO of the RSPCA in the ACT, Tammy Ven Dange has made it her mission to find homes for the Aussie capital's animals in need.

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The Pledge is a web series that highlights the personal stories of people who have become Australian citizens. See these new Aussies talk about an anniversary they will always remember - the day they took their pledge. Rachel Low reminisces on the past 30 years she's spent in Australia.

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Born & raised in urban Dhaka, which is the capital of Bangladesh, I came to Australia on 2010 as an international student. I finished my studies and granted Australian Permanent Residency on 2012 as skilled migrant. My Australian citizenship has been approved in early 2014, now waiting to join in the citizenship ceremony, so that I can say my citizenship ceremony is part of the 65th anniversary of Australian citizenship celebration; also be able to proudly say "I am Aussie & part of this great nation"...

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Unlike many other people, becoming Australian to me just means I acknowledge that I live, pay taxes and follow the laws here so should be accorded the same full rights as other Australians. Personally it isn't really about feeling more Aussie but just finally being able to call this place home. I am grateful for getting the opportunity to become an Aussie and will be taking my Citizenship Test shortly.

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Unlike many other people, becoming Australian to me just means I acknowledge that I live, pay taxes and follow the laws here so should be accorded the same full rights as other Australians. Personally it isn't really about feeling more Aussie but just finally being able to call this place home. I am grateful for getting the opportunity to become an Aussie and will be taking my Citizenship Test shortly.

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I arrived in Australia on the 30th May 2008, instantly fell in love

with the country and knew I wanted to call it home. After spending

18 months in New Zealand and coming back to Australia for a

partner visa, set up home, had a daughter (now 3) and attaining

permanent residency, it was only a matter of time until I could apply

for citizenship.

I have found out today that my application was approved and am

so over the moon. Now just have to wait for my ceremony so I can

finally stand up and say proudly, 'I am an Australian'

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Australian Citizenship turns 65. If you are becoming a citizen in 2014, share your stories, photos or videos with us. Add #AusPledge and join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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The Pledge is a web series that highlights the personal stories of people who have become Australian citizens. See these new Aussies talk about an anniversary they will always remember - the day they took their pledge. Teen synchronised swimming star Aoife McCann went from "Pom" to proud Aussie at age 12.

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My parents migrated to Australia in 1983, seeking better work opportunities. The strong sense of Australian national pride and community they felt during the 1988 Bicentenary celebrations persuaded them to have my sister and I here and to one day become Australian citizens.

I still remember the excitement and pride I felt when I became an Australian citizen on my 10th birthday. I know my parents felt the same when they took their pledges at a citizenship ceremony in Sydney in 2003 and were given this memento pin.

It’s an honour to belong to the Australian family – congratulations to everyone else who joins us this year!

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Born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, completed middle school in Indiana, became a degree holder in Bathurst, got married in Perth and currently work in Canberra.  To borrow the lines from Lucky Starr, “I’ve been everywhere, man.” Indeed I have, yet I decided to call Australia home.

I took the pledge on 3 November 2011 to affirm my commitment to this lucky country and to provide a better quality of life for my family. Fast forward to 2014 and I’m now a proud father of a 10 month old baby boy. Thanks to the decision I made to take the pledge almost three years ago, I know my son will obtain a good education, enjoy a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle and get a “fair go” in life.

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I attended my first citizenship ceremony this year...I felt proud to be Australian. It reminded me we are a country that welcomes people from all walks of life.

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My parents emigrated in 1966 from Yugoslavia,looking for a better life. I am so glad they made that decision. I can never thank them enough for the sacrifice and determination they made to improve our life and in turn the life of my family! Love Australia!

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One of the most momentous events of my life, up there with marriage and the birth of a child.... Even better was being at the ceremony where my Canadian partner received her citizenship.... Being Australian is awesome..

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I'm a New Zealand citizen who came to live in Australia in 2007. Although the Special Category Visa enables me to live and work in Australia indefinately it doesn't give me a pathway to citizenship. Australia is my home and I want to be able to contribute to society, to vote and belong here. Fortunatly, I discovered that, because I visited Australia before Sept 1994, I was eligible for a Resident Return Visa (RRV)! I am now a Permanent Resident and looking forward to applying for citizenship in July 2014.

Liza

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As one of the lucky expat Kiwis that has been granted Permanent Residency I am really looking forward to obtaining my Australian Citizenship, then I can truly feel I belong here, along with my 3 Australian adult children, and my Australian grandchildren. It has been a long and stressful road.Many many other law abiding, hard working, tax paying ex pat New Zealanders would warmly welcome the opportunity to have a pathway to eventual acceptance and citizenship in this country they call home.

Thank You for the opportunity to add my comments

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to become a citizen of the country you live in and contribute to is the final step in acceptance - for both you and your new home. We are hoping to become citizens this year. As we are from NZ it has been a very difficult and sometimes discouraging journey but we are some of the lucky few who have made it to Permanent Residency and have now got a road to citizenship. Here's hoping more of the NZ citizens who have committed to their lives here can do the same. It is a wonderful country and a wonderful life. Thank you for the opportunity to share this with you.

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I love being an Australian!

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I had to hide a little tear when I was singing the anthem and doing my pledge.

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The Pledge is a web series that highlights the personal stories of people who have become Australian citizens. See these new Aussies talk about an anniversary they will always remember-the day they took the pledge. Celebrity Spanish chef Miguel Maestre tells how he "had to hide a little tear when I was singing the anthem and doing my pledge".

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The first Australian citizenship ceremony took place at Albert Hall in Canberra on 3 February 1949. Seven men, one representing each state of Australia and the Australian Capital Territory, became citizens at this ceremony. The men were from Greece, Denmark, Yugoslavia, Spain, Czechoslovakia, France and Norway.

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Department of Immigration and Border Protection 

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Department of Immigration and Border Protection 

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Happy 65th anniversary of Australian citizenship!

To write on our e-card, simply click anywhere on this page and post your message of support.

This page is moderated by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, during regular Australian business hours (9 am to 5 pm eastern standard time), Monday to Friday. Comments published after hours, on the weekend or on public holidays are acted upon as early as possible.