Thursday, 2 May 2024

Northern Metropolitan Region multicultural events

Evan MULHOLLAND (Northern Metropolitan) (09:48): In the parliamentary break I had the great honour of attending many multicultural and faith celebrations in the north. It was great to be able to attend, with Leader of the Opposition John Pesutto, the Assyrian New Year festival 6774 at Craigieburn Anzac Park organised by Victoria’s Assyrian Australian Association. I also attended the Akitu celebration at St George’s Chaldean Catholic church in Campbellfield, organised by Vic.Talk, celebrating the start of the Babylonian Chaldean New Year 7234.

It also coincided with the month of Ramadan. I have had the great pleasure of attending many home iftars in the north. I attended the Muslim Welfare Trust of Victoria iftar in Somerton – with opposition leader John Pesutto once again – and countless other iftars, including Islamic Community Milli Gorus Meadow Heights mosque street iftar, the Suleymaniye Education and Cultural Centre iftar in Meadow Heights and the Turan Australia Association iftar in Roxburgh Park. I also want to shout out the Melbourne Centre for Multicultural Youth for inviting me to their fantastic Eid event.

It was great to go to the Sri Lankan New Year festival in Craigieburn put on by the North Victoria Sri Lankan Welfare and Cultural Association. I had the pleasure of joining many friends in the Nepalese community, alongside my colleague Trung Luu, at the Bishu Parva 2024 event in Brunswick by the Far Western Nepalese Society of Victoria, and the Nepalese Association of Victoria 2081 new year’s celebrations at Coburg Lake Reserve. And I would like to thank Lebanese Forces for inviting me and my colleague Trung to the documentary film premiere of Blood on the Church Altar by Johnny el Zoghby in Broadmeadows.