Lord Mayor of Perth Basil Zempilas says it’s important for Australians with a non-Australian background to be proud of their heritage and acknowledge they’re “Australians first”.

“For children of Australia who have come from a non-Australian background, in many ways, it is quite character defining,” Mr Zempilas said, while discussing his Greek heritage in Australia.

“You are different, you know you’re different and of course we assimilate and of course we are one country. But it is something to be proud of.

“It’s important (to be proud of your heritage), and of course it’s important to be Australian. We’re Australians first. That’s a very strong principle of mine.

“It is important to be conscious of where you’ve come from and what story that brings you, because that does define you as a person very definitely.”