Large citizenship turnout

ALMOST 150 new Australians will be welcomed in Greater Dandenong during an official citizenship ceremony at the Drum Theatre on 26 January.
City mayor John Kelly said the ceremony was one of the largest ever staged by the council on Australia Day.
“One hundred and forty five people will make the citizenship pledge in Dandenong on Australia Day, making it a huge event for so many individuals and families,” Cr Kelly said.
“What’s more, I believe our Australia Day citizenship ceremony is going to be among the largest held in Victoria.”
Cr Kelly said it was wonderful that so many people were preparing to make the citizenship pledge in the multicultural City of Greater Dandenong.
“Greater Dandenong is the most culturally diverse locality in Australia with residents from 156 different birthplaces, more than half of our population born overseas, and 51 per cent of our residents coming from nations where English is not the main spoken language,” Cr Kelly said.
“Our cultural diversity is one of our greatest assets as it gives us an insight into so many different ways of life and points of view.
“Australia Day is so powerful because it unites people from all corners of the globe in a celebration of all that is Australian.
“Australia Day is a time for us to reflect on what it means to be Australian and our way of life.”