Where were you born?

Many of us come from different places around the world and bring cultural and religious diversity to our current home. In fact, according to the 2011 Census, Australians come from over 200 countries! Were you born in Australia? Or when did you and your family move here?

Many of us might be second or third generation Australians. Some of us might even have ancestry dating back to convict times. And many others in the community have joined us more recently.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the largest group of overseas-born residents are from the United Kingdom followed by New Zealand, China and India. In fact, over 60% of Australian’s declared themselves as having European ancestry.

In recent years, the Australian population from overseas has increased from 23% of the population born overseas in 2004 to 28% of residents born overseas in June 2014. Despite the multi-ethnic composition, the culture of Australia is largely derived from traditions of British and European settlers and immigrants. Where are your ancestors from? Have you lived in Australia your whole life?

Here are some interesting facts about Australia you might not know!

1. The largest Greek population in the world beside Athens in Greece can be found in Melbourne Victoria.
2. More than 80 percent of Australians live within 100 kilometres of the coast making Australia one of the world’s most urbanised coastal dwelling populations.
3. The world’s highest proportion of migrant settlers in a developed nation with over 25% of Australians born in another country.
4. Australians refer to English people as Poms (originally Pome), which is actually the acronym for Prisoners of Mother England.