Jason Wood (La Trobe, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for International Development and Pacific Island Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I recently had the great privilege of joining the Kenyan Australian community for the Taunet Nelel Organisation's third Cultural Fashion show. I've been to many of their events. This celebration was true to the Kenyan and Kalenjin heritage, and a fantastic display of culture, tradition and community spirit—all done in an alcohol free environment. I was deeply honoured to be joined by the elders of the Kenyan Australian community, who bestowed upon me the Ceremonial Elders Stick. I was also very privileged to be given a Kenyan name, Arap Kalya—meaning 'man of peace' in the Kalenjin language. It was truly a great honour. I am very humbled by this gesture. I thank the chairman, Charles Ruto; events director, Nicky Boit; and all the members of the Taunet Nelel Organisation for their warm welcome and hospitality. As always, was a fantastic event.

The event was much more than a fashion pageant. It was about confidence, culture and character, giving our Kenyan Australian community a platform to share their talents, dreams and identity with pride, which is precisely what they did. These events help our youth connect with their roots, understand their heritage and build resilience. Congratulations again, and thanks to Taunet Nelel for three years of service to the Kenyan Australian community.

I also had the honour of attending a welcoming event for the Pacific Australian Emerging Leaders Summit, known as PAELS. I acknowledge Her Excellency the Governor-General, the Hon. Sam Mostyn AC; the Pacific high commissioners and the great work they do; Reverend Tim Costello, who's done an amazing job with the foundation of Micah; Matt Darvas of Micah Australia; and the delegates who attended this summit. This was a very powerful reminder that the Pacific is one family. Our wellbeing is interconnected. Our futures are bound together by the ocean that links us rather than divides us. For four years now, PAELS has brought together emerging leaders from 16 Pacific nations and Australia. Many of these leaders are young people of faith and service, already leading today with courage and commitment. As I said to them, with the median age of the Pacific population being 23, they are not future or emerging leaders—they are the leaders of today. Their decisions to help shape issues such as climate resilience, economic development, security and social wellbeing are so important. The framework in the Pacific we see report offers a unifying vision of a flourishing Pacific, grounded in tradition and relationships. Again, I acknowledge the great work of Micah Australia, the Pacific Conference of Churches and DFAT officers for putting this event on. I was greatly honoured to meet all these Pacific island leaders doing incredible work.

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