Ceremony must be done better

I attended this year’s Citizenship Ceremony at the Inverloch Community Hub to see a friend gain her citizenship, only to be disappointed at the organisation of the event.

I and many others, were unable to hear clearly the speeches or the Australian Citizenship Pledge read by all the new Australians.

I doubt if the sound system had been tested beforehand.

Additionally, the Welcome to Country was inaudible, and extremely difficult to see.

If the screen had been put on the stage and connected to the (tested) sound system, people would have been able to see and hear this important message.

Also, attendees were asked to dress formally or smart casual.

Perhaps this requirement was not expressed to all the officials?

This was an important event, but one that would have been vastly improved with better coordination, preparation and practice.

Severina Piasente, Wonthaggi