Leading brain surgeon Charlie Teo has urged Australians to share their country and put aside their anger.
Dr Teo, the son of Chinese immigrants, addressed a large gathering at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music on Monday night as he delivered the Australia Day address, which has provided commentary on national identity since 1997.
"I want everyone who find themselves angry and intolerant to think first about the misfortunes - such as those with cancer," Dr Teo said.
"I want anyone who has come from another country to embrace the Australian way of life. It has served us well.
"I want all Australians to see how immigrants have contributed to our nation and to appreciate that a rich and prosperous country such as ours has a moral and global responsibility to share our resources.
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"Finally I want to thank Australians for giving me professional and personal fulfillment, for believing in me when some of my colleague didn't, for seeing a Chinaman as an Aussie, not as a foreigner."
