Seventy Hobsons Bay residents will become Australian citizens during the Australia Day breakfast at Williamstown Town Hall officiated by former Victorian premier John Cain.
Hobsons Bay mayor Angela Altair said the municipality was home to people from more than 130 countries, speaking more than 100 different languages.
“Our community’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths, and we value our rich mix of people and cultures,” she said.
The majority of the municipality’s newest Australian citizens hail from England, Germany, India, Indonesia, Republic of Ireland, Israel, Myanmar, Northern Ireland, Poland, Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States and Zambia.
Thousands are expected to flock to the Australia Day in Altona day-long event, which culminates with fireworks on the beach.
Hosted by Altona Village Traders Association, the event is now in its 11th year.
Celebrations, centred around Altona beach, Logan Reserve and Pier Street, start at 11am and end with the fireworks show about 9pm.
Highlights include a sand castle competition, horse-drawn carriages, double decker bus tours and camel rides on the beach.
Traders’ president Kim Walsh said about 12,000 people attended last year’s event.
“We’ll have live music, a lot of local artists on the main stage at Logan Reserve,” he said.
Yarraville will host the fourth annual Stony Creek Music Festival on Australia Day from 2-7pm at McNish Reserve, with Nick Barker and Shane O’Mara headlining.
