City welcome 82 new Australian citizens
THE City of Greater Geelong has welcomed 82 new Australian citizens to the region’s thriving multicultural community across two citizenship ceremonies last week at City Hall.
The ceremonies featured community members from 32 different countries, including Thailand, India, Peru, China, Portugal, Brazil, Afghanistan and Albania.
Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan facilitated the events alongside councillor Peter Murrihy.
Cr Sullivan said the city continued to be proud of its role in supporting a strong and diverse community in greater Geelong.
“Geelong is a place where people of all cultural backgrounds are welcome and included.
“Our cultural diversity is one of our community’s great strengths and something worthy of positivity and celebration.
“New arrivals to our region contribute individually to our community in a variety of ways, and collectively, add to the rich cultural fabric of our city.”
The city has conferred citizenship on about 900 new Australians on behalf of the federal government so far in 2023.
About 18 per cent of the greater Geelong community population – equivalent to nearly 50,000 residents – were born overseas and now reside in the area.