Tuesday, 3 March 2026

 Sheena WATT (Northern Metropolitan) (20:58): (2353) My adjournment matter tonight is for the Minister for Multicultural Affairs. Holy Ramadan is once again upon us, a sacred time for reflection, family and faith. I was proud to be in North Melbourne for the fourth annual community iftar hosted by the Huddle. Established in 2010 as the community arm of the North Melbourne Football Club, the Huddle is the cornerstone of my electorate, using sport to foster a strong sense of community and support. This wonderful event brought together approximately 150 people from the local Somali, Eritrean and Ethiopian communities to share in breaking fast. These communities are an integral part of the fabric of Melbourne’s north, and their contributions to our social cohesion are immense. The Huddle does incredible work as a community support group, focusing on empowering multicultural young people to build on their strengths and increase their participation in society. The Huddle supports Somali and Afghan young people and their families across Melbourne’s north, west and outer south-east by offering culturally safe programs trusted by families. They help young Victorians remain engaged in education and navigate pathways to employment. It is exactly the sort of grassroots engagement that our community is proud to back, supporting community-led initiatives that improve social cohesion and build stronger, safer and more inclusive communities for everyone. It was a privilege to be joined by religious and community leaders, including Sheikh Magan from the Australian Muslim Social Services Agency, who play such a crucial role in bringing together people for these important occasions. Iftar is a beautiful opportunity to renew connections and champion faith. The action I seek is for the minister to join our vibrant, multicultural communities in the Northern Metropolitan Region and celebrate Ramadan and the spirit of iftar with me.