Nineteen residents representing 10 different nationalities have taken the oath to become some of Australia's newest citizens at a ceremony hosted by East Gippsland Shire Council on Australia Day.
Mayor Cr John White welcomed the new citizens at a very well attended citizenship ceremony in Lakes Entrance, where family, friends and dignitaries helped them mark the occasion.
Cr White said it was a significant day to come together as a nation to celebrate and to reflect on what it means to be Australian.
"Australia Day is an opportunity to warmly welcome our newest citizens and to recognise the common bond that unites all Australians no matter whether an Australian by birth or by choice," Cr White said.
"Citizenship ceremonies hold a special significance for conferees and the broader Australian community. Today we have new citizens from the United Kingdom, the Philippines, New Zealand, India, Vietnam, Malta, the United States, Russia and Thailand.
"It gives me great pleasure to congratulate our East Gippsland residents on becoming Australian citizens and making a commitment to Australia.
"The diversity of our new Australia citizens continues to underpin East Gippsland as a great place to live and work. We look forward to everyone contributing to East Gippsland life."
Australia Day 2020 will see a record number of people become Australian citizens, with more than 27,400 conferees from over 160 nations scheduled to attend one of the 450 ceremonies being held across the country.
East Gippsland's new Aussies were presented with a framed certificate, Australia citizenship coin, a plant and information about East Gippsland, in front of a crowd of about 50 people.
The citizenship ceremony was livestreamed and can be viewed on Council's YouTube channel 'EastGippyTV'.
