In a ceremony looking out across Lake Burley Griffin towards the nation's great institutions, 27 people from 16 countries are becoming Australian citizens this morning.
Governor-General Quentin Bryce and Prime Minister Julia Gillard are among the crowd at Rond terrace for the national flag raising and citizenship ceremony.
Among those becoming Australian citizens today is Peggy Liddick, the Australian national gymnastics coach. Liddick, originally from the United States, was accompanied to the ceremony by the entire Australian gymnastics team.
Also celebrating today was the newly appointed Australian of the year Geoffrey Rush, and the ACT's candidate for Australian of the year former chief of defence force Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston.
The ceremony also featured the Royal Military College Band, an air force flyover, Australia's Federation Guard and a 21-gun salute.
and friends on hand for the occasion, but so too were "complete strangers who have come to offer you their embrace, knowing that citizenship is a gift that grows with sharing".
"Today is first time this ceremony has been held in this incredible location, amidst some of our nation's greatest landmarks," she said.
"We look up ANZAC Parade to the shrine honouring those who served our country in the most profound way possible - the sacrifice of their lives.
"We look around the lake to great institutions of culture, learning and justice, beyond we see symbols of Australia's democracy in the old and new parliament house buildings."
Ms Gillard said citizenship ceremonies were modern Australia's greatest story - "the story of inclusion and belonging which is immigration; culminating in our free acceptance of the duties and benefits of citizenship."
She said four million people had chosen to become Australian citizens since the first ceremony in 1949, leaving behind the life they knew, including loved ones, familiar places, language and culture.
"A brave and often painful decision, but a good decision," she said.
"Because for whatever we left behind, we gained so much more. Freedom and opportunity. Reward for effort. And a land of wide open spaces, not just geographically, but wide spaces of the mind and heart to dream big dreams and imagine different, better futures free of fear."
While the rain has held off this morning, it began to rain shortly after lunch.
The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts that wet weather will continue through the weekend.
Organisers plan a fireworks display over Lake Burley Griffin tonight.
"From 7pm, enjoy the pre-fireworks entertainment on Central Basin with the annual 'Bridge to Bridge' rowing race and dragon boating race before the fireworks kick off from 9pm," they said.
For more information on Australia Day activities, go to http://www.australiaday.org.au/
with staff reporters
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Full honours list
Page one, page two, page three
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JOHN BAIRD, AM: Converted to a rewarding field
ANNA WELLINGS BOOTH, OAM: Volunteer helped keep cancer groups afloat
GEOFF BROWN, AO: 5000 hours in the air and still flying high
JOHN BUCKINGHAM, AM: Surgeon's posthumous award
GAY VON ESS, OAM: Life devoted to children with special needs
TERRY MORAN, AC: Top bureaucrat left blueprint for change
DENIS PAGE, OAM: Building bridges from business to wider community
DAVID PARKER, AM: 'Silent epidemic' didn't slow Dept boss
PRUE POWER, AM: Reward for a healthy career
GEORGE SMITH, STIRLING MORTLOCK: Capital clubmen legends on field
National Australia Day Honours
FULL HONOURS: National list identifies our finest companions
DIGGERS' BRAVERY: Gallantry medals for diggers in firefight
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