Cameras clicked, family and friends hugged, and hands were held out to congratulate some of Tasmania's newest Australian citizens.

There were 78 adults and children in total, who represented the old and the young from countries such as Bhutan, Nepal, Netherlands, Thailand, Ukraine, China, Hong Kong, UK, Mozambique and Mauritius.

Australia Day Citizen Award recipients included Roger Valentine, and musical group ''Bounty'' consisting of Graham and June Walford, their son Wayne Walford, and band members John Byers and Esala Sakita, who also received their awards.

Launceston City Council Mayor Albert van Zetten said citizenship was a bond that united all Australians, whether they were the country's original inhabitants, generational migrants, or descendents of early settlers.

''The decision to become an Australian citizen is a major one,'' he said.

''Like all major life decisions it is an event which involves commitment, responsibility public recognition, celebration of the present and hope for a common future.

''There are the themes of participation and inclusion, the essence of Australian citizenship.''

New citizen Sita Gurung, 20, was born in Nepal and arrived in Australia when she was 15 with her family.

She said she was extremely happy on becoming an Australian citizen.

''This place is very beautiful and I have a happy life, better than Nepal,'' she said.

See The Examiner tomorrow for full Australia Day coverage