Thursday, 14 November 2019

 Ms LOVELL (Northern Victoria) (10:10): It was great to recently attend the 2019 OUTintheOPEN Festival, held at Queens Gardens in Shepparton. Hosted by Goulburn Valley Pride, the festival is a platform for the people of the Goulburn Valley to stand with our LGBTIQ community and celebrate harmony and equality throughout our region. Joining me at the event was the newly elected mayor of Greater Shepparton, Seema Abdullah, as well as fellow councillor Fern Summer; the Victorian commissioner for gender and equality, Ro Allen; and Senator Janet Rice. After a special welcome to country from Hilda Knowles, I was honoured to speak at the event and highlight how lucky we are to live in a community such as Shepparton that embraces diversity. I congratulate convenor Damien Stevens-Todd and the entire GV Pride organisation on once again organising a wonderful event.