Record welcome for Dandy’s new citizens

THE City of Greater Dandenong welcomed 284 new Australians last week during an official citizenship ceremony at the Drum Theatre.
City mayor John Kelly said the ceremony was the largest ever staged in Greater Dandenong.
Of the new citizens, 222 were adults and 62 were children.
“Two hundred and eighty four people took the citizenship pledge in Dandenong last night, making it a momentous occasion for so many individuals and families,” Cr Kelly said.
It was wonderful that so many people had chosen to make their citizenship pledge in Greater Dandenong, he said.
“Greater Dandenong is one of the most culturally diverse localities in Australia, with residents from 156 different birthplaces calling the city home.”
“Last night we welcomed new citizens from Sudan, Afghanistan, India, Vietnam, China and Sri Lanka,” Cr Kelly said.
“We are proud of our cultural diversity and the citizenship ceremony last night was a fantastic way to celebrate this.”
More than 1000 people in Greater Dandenong have become Australian citizens this year.