It was the fourth citizenship ceremony held at the council administration building, in Speers Point, for 2017.

It brought the number of people conferred with citizenship this year to nearly 350 – the equivalent of adding a suburb the size of Awaba.

Among those who took the citizenship pledge on Wednesday were people from Mauritius, Macau, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Tonga, Uruguay, China, South Africa, the United Kingdom and other countries.

“To have 19 nationalities represented among a group of 33 new citizens demonstrates the enormous diversity in Lake Macquarie,” mayor Kay Fraser said.

“Our community continues to be enriched by the contributions made by people from other countries and cultures.”

Michael Mackenzie, of Toronto, donned an Australian scarf before receiving his certificate from the mayor, before jokingly asking her if his newly conferred citizenship invested him with the power to “wrestle crocodiles”.

Mr Mackenzie, who was originally from London and also lived in Scotland, followed his adult children Tracy and Craig to Australia in 2003.

He has immersed himself in his local community, particularly the Toronto Workers Cricket Club, where he coaches.

“I love living in Toronto. I have a view of the water from one side, the Watagans from another, and I can see the cricket ground from my window,” Mr Mackenzie said.

“I even follow the Australian cricket team now.”

Lake Macquarie normally has four citizenship ceremonies each year but increased demand has resulted in an extra ceremonies this year.