Matt Thistlethwaite (Kingsford Smith, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration) Share this | Hansard source

Last month I joined the Cyprus Community of NSW for the Australia-Cyprus Achievement Awards honouring achievement, service and shared heritage between Australia and Cyprus. It was a celebration of the significant contribution that the Cypriot community has made to our nation. Many of them arrived after the Second World War. They were young, they didn't speak English, they found our food boring and tasteless, they had little but the clothes on their back. But they worked hard, they maintained their faith through the Greek Orthodox Church and community, they had families and they made a life of it in Australia. And hasn't our nation, and indeed our community, benefited because of that.

Many settled in Marrickville, Kingsgrove, Bankstown, Kingsford and, of course, Maroubra. They brought with them the institutions that sustain community life—afternoon schools, theatre groups, dance troupes, sporting clubs, bakeries, churches and the wonderful Cypriot Club that was in St Peters. There were places of belonging, identity and continuity, and they helped shape the multicultural character of the suburbs that we know today. The Australia-Cyprus Achievement Awards reflected that legacy.

Among the major honourees was Neophytos Stavrou, recognised for a lifetime of service to commerce, culture, faith and philanthropy. Then there's my good mate Con Theocharides and his family, who were honoured for their exceptional humanitarian leadership through their charity, A Touch of Kindness, that feeds the homeless and those displaced each week in Sydney. It's one of Australia's largest charitable support missions. The 2026 Australia-Cyprus Achievement Hall of Fame awardee was Professor Richard Green, recognising his outstanding contribution to classical and Cypriot archaeology and his pivotal role in advancing Australia-Cyprus scholarly relations. The Australia-Cyprus Achievement Award (Youth) was presented to Jacquelene Tsovolos, recognising her work in encouraging civic participation among young Cypriot Australians.

The Cyprus Community of NSW forms a living bridge between Cyprus and Australia, and it stands as a reminder that Australia is enriched by every culture that now calls our wonderful country home. I congratulate all the award recipients and commend the community for its outstanding contribution to Australian society.

I'd also like to acknowledge and congratulate the Chinese Australian Services Society, commonly known as CASS, on its 45th anniversary. CASS is an organisation that has played a vital role in supporting migrants, particularly from China, strengthening communities and contributing to Australia's multicultural success story. It was founded to meet the needs of those who arrived in Australia seeking opportunity and a sense of belonging. For many who left their homelands behind, organisations like CASS provide not only practical assistance, but also the reassurance that they are not alone as they build new lives in this country.

I want to also acknowledge the broader contribution of Australia's Chinese community, who have had a presence in and have made a contribution to Australia for more than 170 years. Chinese Australians have helped shape our national story through their work in business, science, education, the arts, community and service to public life. For 45 years, CASS has delivered services that reach deep into that community. Their programs supports more than 8½ thousand families each week. These services span settlement support, health programs, child care, ageing and homecare assistance, disability services, vocational training and language classes.

Each of these programs has helped Australians participate fully in social and economic life, but the contribution of CASS extends beyond service delivery. It fosters that wonderful sense of community that sustains people through every stage of their migration journey. By nurturing cultural traditions and supporting intergenerational connection, CASS strengthens not only Australia's Chinese community, but the broader Australian story. It's also reflected in the organisation's longevity.

I recently attended a CASS event to celebrate Lunar New Year. Zhong Qiu Jie is a festival that we also celebrate with them at Kensington. It's a wonderful opportunity to bring our community together. I want to thank Professor Stephen Li, the chairperson of CASS, and all the wonderful staff and volunteers of the organisation who have contributed to building CASS into the wonderful organisation that it is 45 years later. I thank CASS for this milestone anniversary. I commend them on their work to empower and support communities, particularly the Chinese, across our nation.

Question agreed to.

Federation Chamber adjourned at 12 : 27

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