Australia Day 2019: Australians celebrate national day in photos

A record number of people are making their citizenship official during Australia Day ceremonies across the country.

There are 16,212 new citizens from 146 different countries are taking part in 365 ceremonies across the country — the most on any given day since the first citizenship ceremony 70 years ago.

This year the top five countries for new Australian citizens were: India (918 people), UK (517), Philippines (323), China (239), South Korea (176). It’s been 70 years since the introduction of Australian citizenship into law.

Australia Day is a time to reflect on shared histories and rededicate ourselves to the future, says Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

MORE: Famous faces of Australia Day Honours - plus, full list

MORE: Hero cave divers get Australians of the Year

“We remind ourselves of our shared histories as Australians and we rededicate ourselves to Australia’s future,” Mr Morrison said.

“The story of Australia Day is the story of a country that is always trying to do better — that understands its past, it understands its failures and it understands how it has achieved its successes,” Mr Morrison said.

“No country is perfect, we are not, but we have a lot to celebrate.”

Aboriginal elders and community members gathered at Sydney’s Barangaroo Reserve for a vigil and the lighting of a fire at dusk to reflect on the impact of colonisation.

Melbourne has so-far marked the day with a multicultural parade and festival in Kings Domain Gardens, capped off with a major fireworks display.

Concerts, flag-raising ceremonies, food festivals, fun runs and thong-throwing competitions will be staged across the nation.

SEE THE BEST PHOTOS BELOW:

Jen Brandon and Grace Carr at Bondi Beach today enjoying Australia Day. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Wet N Wild Sydney. Amy Burgess 15, and Hannah Arnott 16, laying in the pool as temperatures reach 40+ Picture: Darren Leigh Roberts

Pictured is (L-R) Mia Wright 12, Keely Tietzel-Berry 15 and Makira Wright 13, enjoying Australia Day at Watsons Bay in Sydney today. Picture: Tim Hunter.

The Every Man and his Dog Paddleboard Race at Watsons Bay in Sydney today as part of Australia Day celebrations. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18A aircraft conduct a flypast over Sydney Harbour during Australia Day celebrations in Sydney. Picture: AAP

People lined Swanston St in Melbourne to see the the Australia Day parade. Picture: Sarah Matray

Nelli-Anne Williamson, 2, is seen at the Australia Day fun run at the Convention Centre in Darwin. Picture: Keri Megelus

Nick Fraser of Crafers West with daughters Matilda, 7, and Audrey, 5, enjoying Australia Day at Botanic Park in Adelaide. Picture: Tom Huntley

Christine Anu performs during the Australia Day Wugulora Morning Ceremony on the Walumil Lawns at Barangaroo in Sydney. Picture: AAP

Entertainment in Newcastle's Foreshore Park on Australia Day in NSW. Picture: Peter Lorimer.

After the Australia Day march people gathered at Domain gardens in Melbourne. Sisters, Ella,6 and Chloe,10 loved watching the parade, Chloe along with her family arrived in Australia 9 years ago. Picture: Sarah Matray

The Australia Day parade makes its way down Swanston Street in Melbourne. Picture: Sarah Matray

Australia Day protest at Parliament House in Melbourne. Picture: Alex Coppel

Invasion Day protesters are seen during Australia Day celebrations in Melbourne. Picture: AAP

A special Australia Day ceremony at Melbourne Town Hall. Srithan Pandiri, 2 was youngest person to become a citizen at the Melbourne Town Hall ceremony. Picture: Sarah Matray

Rainbow Serpent Festival music fans at the camping ground. Picture: Supplied

The Australia Day parade makes its way down Swanston Street in Melbourne. Picture: Sarah Matray

Protestors take part in an Invasion Day Rally in Sydney. Picture: AAP

Crowds gather at the Invasion Day rally at Hyde Park, Sydney. Picture: Tim Pascoe

2019 Australian Open Pat Cash honoured at Legends Lunch Grand Hyatt. Pat Cash performs with Jon Stevens. Picture: Fiona Hamilton/Tennis Australia

Australia Day activities on Sydney Harbour pictured from HMAS Choules. Picture: AAP

Australia Day activities on Sydney Harbour pictured from HMAS Choules. Picture: Julian Andrews

Hot Air Balloon Display in Parramatta Park, Sydney today. Picture: Darren Leigh Roberts

Wet N Wild Sydney. Gates opening at 10am with big crowds lining up to spend the day in the water. Pictures: Darren Leigh Roberts

Australia Day in Parramatta Park, Sydney. Stephan Baistow wearing vintage NSW Fire Brigade gear. Picture: Darren Leigh Roberts

Australia Day in Parramatta Park, Sydney. Baomy Truong with her Dad Vien from Westmead. They are Vietnamese Australian. Picture: Darren Leigh Roberts

Peel Street buskers play to the public in Tamworth during the 2019 Tamworth Country Music Festival. Picture: Richard Dobson

Local kids pictured cooling off in the Peel River onAustralia Day in Tamworth NSW. Picture: Richard Dobson

Anthony Carter, Matt Carter, Emily Badger, Joel Muddle and Luke Black pictured cooling off at a music festival campsite on 2019 Australia Day in Tamworth NSW. Picture: Richard Dobson

The ceremonial flame arrives by boat during the Australia Day Wugulora Morning Ceremony on the Walumil Lawns at Barangaroo in Sydney. Picture: AAP

Australia's Dylan Alcott reacts after a point against David Wagner of the US during the men's quad wheelchair singles final on Day 13 of the Australian Open. Picture: AFP

Bryce Johnson poses for a photograph during Australia Day Ute Run in Darwin. Picture: AAP

Missy the Mastiff is seen during Australia Day Ute Run in Darwin. Picture: AAP

The convoy leaves Darwin Hidden Valley Raceway during Australia Day Ute Run in Darwin. Picture: AAP

Australian bowler Pat Cummins smiles after taking two early wickets during day three of the First Test match between Australia and Sri Lanka at The Gabba in Brisbane. Picture: AAP

Nathan Lyon of Australia is seen appealing for the wicket of Lahiru Thirimanne of Sri Lanka with an out decision being overturned by the third umpire during day three of the First Test match between Australia and Sri Lanka at The Gabba in Brisbane. Picture: AAP

Ellyse Perry of the Sixers accepts the player of the series award during the Women's Big Bash League Final between the Sydney Sixers and the Brisbane Heat at Drummoyne Oval in Sydney. Picture: Getty

Delissa Kimmince and Laua Harris of the Heat celebrate their win during the Women's Big Bash League Final between the Sydney Sixers and the Brisbane Heat in Sydney. Picture: Getty

Australia Day in Orange, NSW. Jake Ruddy (man in white), Chris Long (in Geelong AFL gear) and Beau Baddock (in the hat) drinking beer at the Ophir. Picture: Emily Ellis

Australia Day: Charlie, (right) and Ella, at McLaren Vale Caravan Park. Picture: AAP

Invasion Day Protestors block the Australia Day parade in Adelaide as mulitcultural marchers try to get to Elder Park. Young girls start their dance after getting through the protest lines. Picture Mark Brake

Yellaka: Old Wisdom New Ways traditional dancers perform during the Australian Day Tandanya Survival Day celebrations at MacDonald Park, Semaphore Beach, Adelaide. Picture: AAP

One of the dragon boat teams gets warmed up for the Sandy Bay Australia Day regatta in Tasmania. Picture: Mathew Farrell

Yellaka: Old Wisdom New Ways traditional dancers pose for a photograph during Australian Day Tandanya Survival Day celebrations at MacDonald Park, Semaphore Beach, Adelaide. Picture: AAP

Hundreds of people from countries across the world attended the Australia Day citizenship ceremony at the Cairns Regional Council offices. Picture: Brendan Radke

Australia Day fun run at Jezzine Barracks. Runners from the Townsville Dragon Boat Club. Picture: Evan Morgan

Australia Day fun run at Jezzine Barracks. Chrissy Lewis with Harper Lewis, 1 month. Picture: Evan Morgan

New Australian citizens receiving their certificate and a plant from Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds during the Australia Day celebrations at Sandy Bay in Tasmania. Picture: Mathew Farrell

Mohamed and his family ltr Fartuh, Warsar, Nima, Safia, Nurio, Sadia and Fardowso poses for a photograph outside of Brisbane Town Hall. Today they received their Australian Citizenship. Picture: AAP

An Australia Day attendee poses for a photograph during the celebrations in Melbourne. Picture: AAP

NewsBite

Aussie Aussie Aussie! How we’re celebrating Australia Day in 2019

Aussie Aussie Aussie! How we’re celebrating Australia Day in 2019

Add your comment to this story

Here’s what you can expect with tomorrow’s Parramatta weather

Here’s what you can expect with tomorrow’s Parramatta weather