Bible plan for citizenship ceremony

THE Shire of Yarra Ranges will look into what might constitute a suitable memento for residents taking on Australian citizenship.
The debate about what memento would satisfy the diverse cultural and religious characteristics of new Australians arose from a suggestion by Cr Len Cox at last week’s council meeting that an old council tradition of giving new citizens a Bible be resurrected.
“It was lovely to see 100 or so line up to become Australian citizens,” said Cr Cox who added that years ago they were given a bible with a suitable inscription, or another Australian book if the person had chosen to swear an affirmation, rather than an oath on the Bible.
“Now we take the books back off them and every time I see that I cringe,” Cr Cox said.
“I think it would be well worthwhile to give them a Bible or book with a small plaque inside that they could keep as a reminder,” Cr Cox said and proposed a motion.
Cr Noel Cliff thought the memento should be something more solid … “to pass down to future generations”.
And Cr Jeanette McRae asked the vexing question – which would be the bible of choice!
“There were people there (at the recent citizenship ceremony) who had their own Bibles and people who don’t like particular versions,” she said.
She said different versions, such as the Gideons, or the King James, are not acceptable to everyone, and cited Psalm 23 as an example of where the differences might lie.
“I think we will have issues, if we give people a Bible,” Cr McRae concluded.
An amendment to the original motion will see a report brought back to a future council meeting on the matter.
It is believed the cost of providing Bibles, or another book, would be about $5000 a year.