The Mayor of Maribyrnong recently welcomed the city’s newest Australian citizens at a citizenship ceremony. In a personal reflection published on LinkedIn, Mayor Mohamed Semra wrote: “Years ago I sat in that same seat. My family had come from Sudan, hopeful and anxious, waiting to become citizens of the country that had given us a new beginning. I remember the feeling, the nerves, the gratitude, and my mum’s quiet promise to give back.”
From sitting in those chairs to standing at the front as Mayor of one of Australia’s most culturally diverse municipalities, Samra says he feels immensely proud. The City of Maribyrnong is undergoing significant change, with around 40 per cent of residents born overseas and speaking languages other than English. It has become a sought-after home for families from across the globe, including Sudanese refugees who fled during the rule of former president Omar al-Bashir, many now raised and building futures in Australia.
Mohamed Semra (centre) welcoming new citizens in Maribyrnong city
Samra’s journey reflects transformations within Australian society itself. In November 2025, he was re-elected as mayor for the 2025-2026 term, making him the first person of Sudanese origin to hold this position twice in the country’s history. For many observers, including members of African-Australian communities across Victoria and beyond, Samra’s story represents a significant achievement, personifying the core values upon which the nation was founded: justice, equality, and respect for diversity.
Maribyrnong is home to thousands of families building futures across its suburbs of Footscray, Braybrook, and Yarraville. The municipality has the second most ethnically diverse population in Victoria, with large communities from Vietnam, India, China, and humanitarian arrivals from Burma and Sudan. It is this diversity that Semra calls the city’s greatest strength—living in homes, schools, businesses, and the dreams of every family starting anew.
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