Redlands’ cultural diversity was celebrated on Tuesday night with 73 residents from 18 countries becoming Australian citizens during a ceremony at the Redland Performing Arts Centre.

Redland City Mayor and the ceremony’s presiding officer Karen Williams said the city’s newest Australian citizens were now part of a proud migrant heritage.

“The names of pioneering migrant families are woven into our civic fabric, with our cultural diversity making us the great city we are today,’’ Cr Williams said.

“We value the contributions by those from other countries who have embraced our city and made it their home, with Council hosting citizenship ceremonies for the past 62 years.

“A quarter of all Redlanders were born overseas … and many more have a parent who was born beyond our shores. The latest Census shows that 33,197 people who were living in Redland City last year were born in another country and 12 percent had arrived in Australia within the previous five years.’’

Cr Williams said there had been a significant increase in the number people who had arrived in the city from South Africa, India, the Philippines, as well as New Zealand.

“They have discovered ours is a great city where they can live and raise children in a safe environment, learn in exceptional educational facilities, work close to home and enjoy many social activities and friendships,’’ she said.

Countries of origin for those at the ceremony were: Belgium, Canada, India, Iran, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Serbia, South Africa, Thailand, USSR, United Kingdom and the United States.

Photos from the ceremony are available on the Redland City Council Flickr account.