PRIME Minister Julia Gillard will welcome Australia’s newest citizens at a special lakeside ceremony during Australia Day celebrations in Canberra today.

“Prime Minister Julia Gillard will confer citizenship on 22 people hailing from countries as diverse as India, Ghana, South Africa, Italy, Vietnam, Canada, Sweden, Denmark and the United Kingdom at Commonwealth Park’s Rond Terrace,” Mr Bowen said.

The Australian Capital Territory’s newest citizens are among a record number of 17,059 people, originally hailing from 145 countries, making the pledge as part of Australia Day celebrations.

Among those officially joining the Australian family will be world-renowned British actor Miriam Margolyes, who has appeared in “Blackadder” and the “Harry Potter” films.

Ms Margolyes, who first came to Australia in the 1980s and lives in the Southern Highlands, says becoming an Australian citizen was a dream come true, particularly on Australia Day.

“I didn’t expect it, because I’m a senior citizen and this is a young country of young people but you do want me and I am thrilled,” she says.

“It’s a big, public, joyous day that everyone in Australia shares – a day of the whole country congratulating itself and to be part of that is quite humbling. It’s a big moment in a girl’s life, I can tell you that.”