Wednesday, 5 February 2025

 Ella GEORGE (Lara) (09:45): The Lara electorate is enriched by its vibrant multicultural community. At the end of last year I had the privilege of attending the Macedonian and emerging communities festival at the Macedonian Centre in Geelong. The event showcased Macedonian culture and featured performances from communities including Lithuanians in Geelong, Punjabi Swag Geelong and Karenni Geelong Youth.

Following this I enjoyed an early Christmas celebration with the Croatian Cultural Association Geelong filled with fun, festive cheer and a special cooking class. I also celebrated with the Greek Elderly Club of Geelong at their annual Christmas lunch. At the beginning of this year I attended the Karen New Year celebrations, which highlighted the beauty of Karen culture through music and dance. It was heartening to see so many Northern Bay College students and alumni volunteering at the event.

Looking ahead, the community will come together this month for mosque open day at the Geelong Mosque, hosted by the Islamic Society of Geelong. This is a wonderful event to experience the warmth of our local Islamic community. Then in February the 43rd annual Pako Festa will take place, featuring a vibrant street parade, diverse food and cultural performances.

Events like these are essential for celebrating our rich cultures and fostering friendships across Geelong’s diverse communities. I want to extend my gratitude to the dedicated volunteers who organise these important events throughout the year, fostering connection and cultural celebration, and I extend my gratitude to Geelong’s many multicultural communities, who warmly share their culture with the entire community.