Celebrating the Sandy Bay Regatta, multiculturalism, and citizenship

Published on 25 January 2024

The City of Hobart and the Sandy Bay Regatta will again host the capital’s citizenship ceremony as part of a broader effort to foster inclusivity and acknowledge the diverse tapestry of cultures within the community.

The move to Saturday 27 January comes after last year’s Hobart City Council decision to move away from holding the ceremony on Australia Day, recognising the importance of making the citizenship ceremony a standalone event that aligns with the values of unity and diversity.

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds welcomed the move.

“This year, the City of Hobart will continue its long tradition of holding its citizenship ceremony with the 176th Sandy Bay Regatta but on Saturday 27 January,” Cr Reynolds said.

“In 2017 Hobart City Council was the first council in Australia to formally consider changing its citizenship ceremony from 26 January but were advised that we risked being stripped of our ability to hold ceremonies altogether.

“This opportunity followed a policy change by the Commonwealth to allow councils to hold ceremonies within three days either side of Australia Day.

“Local Government can be a powerful voice for local communities, and we are pleased the Commonwealth has amended the code to allow us to move our citizenship ceremonies to a date that can be inclusive for everyone.”

Hobart Welcoming and Inclusive City Portfolio Chair Cr Dr Zelinda Sherlock emphasised the significance of this decision.

"By choosing 27 January for our citizenship ceremony, we are affirming our commitment to embracing our diverse communities and creating a welcoming space for all residents,” Cr Dr Sherlock said.

“This shift allows us to celebrate the essence of multiculturalism in Hobart, acknowledging and respecting the various cultural backgrounds that contribute to the vibrant fabric of our community and call Hobart home."

The citizenship ceremony will take place at the Long Beach Reserve in Sandy Bay, coinciding with the Sandy Bay Regatta, one of the world's longest-running regattas, dating back to 1849.

This conjunction of events symbolizes the City of Hobart's recognition of its rich maritime history and the evolution of community celebrations over time.

Sandy Bay Regatta Association Chairman, Peter Douglas, said: “We have enjoyed a strong and enduring relationship with the City of Hobart for decades, both as an event sponsor and as a contributor to our Regatta’s land-based activities by hosting its citizenship ceremony in conjunction with the Regatta.

“We look forward to continuing that relationship as we conduct our 176th Regatta on Saturday 27 January.

“Our relationship with the Multicultural Council of Tasmania was established with their contribution to the success of our 175th Regatta in 2023.

“We are excited to have the HARMONY Festival share our site and, once more, add colour and vibrancy to our event with a range of multicultural entertainment and culinary offerings blending seamlessly with our traditional family fun activities.”

Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said it was significant the citizenship ceremony remained a joint celebration as part of the Sandy Bay Regatta.

"Hosting the citizenship ceremony at the Sandy Bay Regatta, an event with deep historical roots, aligns perfectly with our goal of creating meaningful, community-centric experiences,” Cr Reynolds said.

“It's an opportunity to unite residents in celebrating both their shared identity as Australians and the diverse cultural backgrounds that make our city thrive."

Following the Sandy Bay Regatta, the festivities continue at the same venue with the HARMONY Tasmanian Multicultural Festival.

This event promises a vibrant showcase of cultural diversity through music, dance, and culinary delights.

Angela Esquivel, the festival executive producer and City of Hobart Creative City Portfolio member, was born in Colombia and moved to Australia four years ago.

"We invite the Tasmanian community to join the celebration of a global tapestry of rhythms and traditions at HARMONY Tasmanian Multicultural Festival,” Ms Esquivel said.

“With live performances, workshops, food and crafts from the five continents of the world, the festival promises an unforgettable experience for the family.”

Tasmania is home to people born in 177 different countries and there are 159 identified languages spoken in Tasmanian homes.

According to the 2021 Census, more than 92,000 Tasmanians were born overseas.

"We are very excited to deliver the first edition of the festival with the tremendous support we received from the community and organizations.

“We are working very closely with our supporters, in particular with the City of Hobart, to establish a long-term strategy for the HARMONY Festival and secure sustainability in the time of the Multicultural Festival in Tasmania.

“After the cancellation of Moonah Taste of the World, there is a real need in our Tasmanian community.”