City opens arms to new citizens

Newcastle welcomed 119 new Australian citizens today in a ceremony at City Hall.

Hailing from 27 different countries, the new Australians received their citizenship certificates from Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes.

"It's always a great honour to welcome new citizens from all corners of the globe," Councillor Nelmes said.

"Newcastle is a welcoming city for people of all cultures and religious backgrounds. We are proud to be a culturally diverse, inclusive community."

The 119 people who officially became Australians today come from: Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Ethiopia, Egypt, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Malaysia, Myanmar, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, and Vietnam.

Aboriginal elder and Worimi woman Aunty Jaye Quinlan delivered the Welcome to Country before the Ngurrungarra Aboriginal Dancers began the ceremony with a performance.

Newcastle is Australia’s second-oldest city with a population of more than 160,000, almost 30,000 of whom were born overseas.