Wednesday, 29 October 2025

 Michael GALEA (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (09:55): I recently had the great privilege of joining in several Diwali celebrations across both my electorate and Victoria more broadly, each one reflecting Diwali’s core values of unity, community and finding light through darkness. In Cranbourne I had the great honour of taking part in the BAPS Kids Diwali. It was an extra special privilege to be able to walk into the event for the opening with the monks and also to meet with many wonderful young people. This is an event that is run by young people for young people, and it was certainly very inspiring to meet with them all and learn about the messages that they are trying to impart from this year’s Diwali. I also had the great privilege of attending a celebration with Tamil Pengal in Australia in Rowville, celebrating an event that was particularly focused around empowering young women, and indeed I joined Minister Stitt, Mr Tarlamis and Ms Watt for the Celebrate India function in Federation Square. There are many, many wonderful Diwali events that have been happening and continue to happen across our great state.