Tuesday, 29 July 2025

 Katherine COPSEY (Southern Metropolitan) (15:21): Over the winter break it was my absolute pleasure to join the Friendship and Wellbeing Association Inc – the Shanghainese Fellowship – for their group birthday party and volunteers commendatory meeting. We gathered in a community space in Balwyn, and throughout the afternoon guests were treated to wonderful cultural and artistic performances, including song, dance, martial arts and calligraphy, as well as the presentation of very well-deserved volunteer appreciation certificates. It was an honour to be part of this special event, and I very much enjoyed taking part in the musical performances and especially the communal birthday celebration for association members, complete with a cake. The Shanghainese Fellowship connects local residents through volunteering and friendship, with the aim of promoting multiculturalism and harmony. The friendship, collaboration, goodwill and kindness generated by the fellowship were incredibly clear to see in the way that members all worked together to make the event run smoothly, contributed their talents freely and joyfully, and made such efforts to make guests and local representatives feel welcome. The fellowship do beautiful work creating connections and friendships, and they clearly have a lot of fun along the way. Xièxiè. Thank you for making me so welcome on your special day.