MELBOURNE: The Herald Sun newspaper has portrayed the nine-year-old son of the Malaysian Consul-General here, as the future face of Victoria, Australia.
Rizmi Rameez and nine other youngsters from the 10 most common nationalities in the state of Victoria, were featured on the front page of the newspaper to mark New Year's Day.
"Most were born overseas, and have decided to call Australia home," the Herald Sun said.
"Others are second-generation migrants, grateful for the decisions made by their parents before them.
"Many have already lived in several countries across the world, and say that helps them appreciate what Down Under has to offer."
Rizmi, who was born in Timor Leste, when his father Datuk Dr Mohd Rameez Yahaya was posted to Dili, told the newspaper that meeting people from all over the world was the best part about living in Melbourne.
When asked what changes he would like to see in Australia, Rizmi, who attends Canterbury Primary School here, said: "I wouldn't change anything in Australia because there are different people from different countries around the world. And people are nice and friendly and kind."
Mohd Rameez, the father of six, took up his posting here in June 2011.
According to the newspaper, people born in the UK still make up the biggest percentage of overseas-born Victorian residents (4 per cent), followed by those born in India (2.1 per cent), China (1.8 per cent), New Zealand (1.5 per cent), Italy (1.4 per cent), Vietnam (1.3 per cent), Greece (0.9 per cent), Sri Lanka (0.8 per cent) and Malaysia (0.7 per cent).
Melbourne is home to people from more than 140 nations. -- BERNAMA
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