Pictures: 100+ Whitehorse residents become Australian citizens

More than 100 people have become Australian citizens in a special ceremony in Box Hill this morning. Check out our massive photo gallery.

Sonalia, Ali, and Mohamed Elnahrawy and Dina Elsayed celebrate becoming Australian citizens with Whitehorse mayor Mark Lane (centre). Picture: Kiel Egging.

A new group of Whitehorse residents have become Australian citizens on Australia’s national day at Box Hill Town Hall.

More than 100 people received certificates and gifts after taking an oath from Mayor Mark Lane, and also sang Advance Australia Fair at the end of the ceremony.

Among the new Australian citizens were local residents who were previously from China, India, Zimbabwe, Egypt and Estonia.

Box Hill’s Mohamed Elnahrawy, who received his citizenship along with his wife and two children, said the ceremony was a proud day for his family.

“It’s been a long journey, we came here (from Egypt) seven years ago and we are both doctors, and we started from scratch.

“It (Australia) offers a fair go for everyone, and definitely a much brighter future for our family, especially the kids, and its better for our careers as well.

“It was really exciting moment today and it means a lot to us.

The council also dished up an Australian-themed morning tea afterwards with Tim-Tam and Lamington flavoured cupcakes, Anzac biscuits and biscuits of a map of Australia with hundreds and thousands on top.

Here’s some of the pictures Leader took on the day – see if you can spot yourself or someone you know in our gallery.

New citizens await their turn to take the oath at Whitehorse Council's 2023 citizenship ceremony on January 26, 2023.

New citizens take the oath at Whitehorse Council's 2023 Australia Day citizenship ceremony.

Whitehorse council dished up some Australian themed treats at its morning tea for its Australia Day citizenship ceremony.

Whitehorse councillor Prue Cutts presents a gift to a new Australian citizen at Box Hill Town Hall.

Whitehorse mayor Mark Lane gives a child a high five as the family become Australian citizens.

Box Hill state Labor MP Paul Hamer gives a koala to Colin Wei, alongside dad Hong at Whitehorse's Australia Day citizenship ceremony.

Box Hill's Danial Abdullah gets a gift from North East Victoria Liberal MP Matt Bach after becoming an Australian citizen.

Blackburn's Ayobami Bamidele gets a gift from North East Victoria Liberal MP Matt Bach after becoming an Australian citizen.

Sayan Bhattacharya, children Ritam and Rai, and Krishna Bhar became Australian citizens at Box Hill Town Hall on Australia Day 2023.

Burwood East's Merilin Ojaveski, originally from Estonia, celebrates her Australian citizenship with daughter Savannah and partner Jason Callahan.

Rabia Punjwami celebrates her Australian citizenship with younger brother Rahil Rashid at Box Hill Town Hall.

Burwood East's Laura Hamer gets her gift from North East Victoria state Liberal MP Matt Bach after becoming an Australian citizen.

Maryam, Yaser, Manan and Mahur Sotoude, of Box Hill North celebrate at Whitehorse Council's Australia Day citizenship ceremony.

Isaac Tarfumaneyi and partner Tino, originally from Zimbabwe, with Whitehorse mayor Mark Lane (centre) at the council's 2023 Australia Day citizenship ceremony.

Har Amit Singh, Preeti Gandhi, Tanjender Singh and Ajuni Haur enjoy the morning tea at Whitehorse Council's citizenship ceremony on Australia Day 2023.

Whitehorse mayor Mark Lane with Blackburn's Hong, Colin, Irene and Lincoln Wei and Cr Prue Cutts after becoming Australian citizens at Box Hill Town Hall.