Pako Festa
Ms COUZENS (Geelong) (13:30): On Saturday I had the privilege of officially opening the 38th Pako Festa in Geelong. Diversitat, the festival organiser, did our community proud with another year of celebrating diversity in our beautiful multicultural community of Geelong. Rightly the festival began with a welcome to country and smoking ceremony by traditional owner Corrina Eccles. I am very proud of the Andrews Labor government’s funding support of $600 000 over four years for Pako Festa, the largest multicultural festival in the country, that attracts 100 000 people. Over 40 multicultural groups participated in the parade. The street was lined with thousands of people watching our multicultural Geelong share their culture with great pride. I want to acknowledge and thank the retiring CEO of Diversitat, Michael Martinez, who for 14 years has led Diversitat with great passion and support. Michael leaves a great legacy in the Geelong region due to his outstanding leadership. I also want to acknowledge and thank Pako Festa coordinator Luisa La Fornara, community leaders, Diversitat staff and volunteers for another successful Pako Festa.