Thursday, 24 March 2022

Cultural Diversity Week

Mr TARLAMIS (South Eastern Metropolitan) (10:39): In Victoria we embrace and celebrate multiculturalism better than anywhere else. Last Saturday night at the Victorian multicultural gala dinner 1400 people came together to celebrate this diversity and kick off Cultural Diversity Week. It was wonderful to gather with so many members of our community from diverse cultures, faiths and backgrounds under one roof to embrace and celebrate each other’s culture. I wholeheartedly thank the Victorian Multicultural Commission and all involved for organising this wonderful event.

Events like the gala dinner and Cultural Diversity Week are great opportunities for all Victorians to recognise the extraordinary efforts of so many community and multifaith groups that have gone above and beyond to help those in need through what have been very difficult and challenging times. We all have a role to play in making our world one that is free from injustice, discrimination and prejudice. I would like to make special mention of the Afghan people and our Afghan-Australian community, who are one of many communities that contribute to our wonderful diversity and are suffering extremely difficult and painful circumstances.