More than 30 Baw Baw Shire residents can now officially call Australia home.
At a special citizenship ceremony on Australia Day, 34 people from 19 different countries became Australian citizens.
Mayor Danny Goss said it was an occasion to "celebrate the value and significance of Australian citizenship and the privileges and responsibilities it embodies."
He said Australia Day was an opportunity for communities to come together to "reflect, respect and celebrate being part of our nation's story."
"We respect everyone's contributions. We celebrate each other's achievements by coming together and connecting with family and friends and the community.
"We reflect on our nation's past, which began more than 65,000 years ago, and the impact European arrival had on First Nations Australians. Our national day is time for us to pause, listen and gain a greater understanding of First Nations peoples, culture and history as we work towards reconciliation, together.
Cr Goss said Australians could be proud of who we are as a nation - "we share a commitment to Australia and its people, and our shared values including respect for the freedom and dignity of others, the rule of law, democracy and a fair go for all."
The new citizens came from Bosnia and Herzegovina; Croatia; Egypt; India; Italy; Jordan; Malaysia; Mauritius; Mexico; New Zealand; Pakistan; Philippines; South Africa; Sri Lanka; Sweden; Switzerland; Ukraine; United Kingdom; and, Zimbabwe.
Cr Goss congratulated the new citizens and thanked them for choosing the Baw Baw Shire as their home.