 A cold Melbourne morning wasn't enough to stop more than two and a half thousand people from becoming Australian citizens at Victoria's largest ever citizenship ceremony at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It took 60 DIAC staff more than six months to plan and prepare for the mega ceremony. Forty staff were present on the day to ensure proceedings ran as smoothly as possible. We have broken up the event today in two stages. Stage one is the registration which started from about eight thirty in the morning. Our staff were here from seven o'clock setting up. Then at two o'clock we expect around two thousand six hundred and forty eight conferees to come through plus an additional six thousand guests that will come at the same time. Among the thousands of people celebrating was English born Dr Paul Slade. After moving to Melbourne in 2006 Dr Slade is delighted to share the experience of receiving Australian citizenship with his family and friends. Today's really important and exciting day for myself, for my wife, for the daughters. After a couple of friends we've got who are getting citizenship on the same day. It's a world famous stadium. It's been fantastic to watch sport here but actually to have such an important event in our lives taking place at the MCG is just a fantastic experience. Raul Espina his wife Gina and their three children also came to Australia in 2006. Their family is looking forward to creating opportunities for others now they've become Australians officially. I want to have my own business so I can help other migrants to be employed here in Australia. Congratulations, you are now Australian citizens. Nick Hatzeglu said he was thrilled the AFL was able to take part in such a significant event. I'd like to thank the Department of Immigration and Citizenship for partnering up with us.