The City of Melbourne has welcomed 300 new Australians at the largest ever citizenship ceremony in the municipality's history.
Lord Mayor Sally Capp said welcoming the new citizens at a 'super ceremony' at Melbourne Town Hall was a celebration of the city's diverse multicultural community.
"We are proud that these new citizens from 54 nations have decided to call Melbourne home," the Lord Mayor said.
"Melbourne's vibrant culture has been shaped over generations by migrants who left their native countries for new beginnings.
"They are making a commitment to our nation, bringing the best of themselves and their heritage to create a fresh future here in Melbourne."
In 2018, the City of Melbourne welcomed hundreds of new citizens, hosting six citizenship ceremonies to keep up with demand.
Applications to become citizens of the city continue to rise, from 60 per month in 2016 to an average of 90 to 100 per month this year.
"The City of Melbourne is one of the fastest growing cities in the developed world and we look forward to the contribution these new citizens will make to our great city," the Lord Mayor said.
More than 7,650 Melbourne residents have become Australian citizens since September 2006, with China the biggest contributor with 1,403 citizens, followed by India with 1,026 citizens.
"As Lord Mayor it's a privilege to preside over citizenship ceremonies and to be a part of such a special moment in the lives of our new residents.
"I'm often asked what the greatest strength of our city is and it is that we speak 260 languages and practice 135 faiths, but we are one Melbourne," the Lord Mayor said.
List of Nationalities: Citizenship Ceremony 5 June 2019
- Argentina
- Bangladesh
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia
- Brazil
- Brunei Darussalam
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Ethiopia
- France
- Germany
- Hong Kong
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Kenya
- Kuwait
- Libya
- Malaysia
- Mauritius
- Nepal
- New Zealand
- Pakistan
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- Scotland
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turkey
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- USA
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Zambia
