Melissa Price (Durack, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

'Numastay, Arp sabko diwali key shoebcalm nigh.' What I just said, Deputy Speaker—and not very well, I may say—was: 'Greetings, wishing you all a happy Diwali.' This was my attempt on Saturday night to speak Hindi when I was a guest and sponsor at the Hindi festival held in Geraldton. Diwali Festival is the 'festival of lights' and is an ancient Hindu festival celebration in autumn every year. On Diwali night, Hindus dress up in new clothes or their best outfit. I can vouch for the fact that the Geraldton community took this tradition very seriously as the outfits worn by Hindus and non-Hindus were very fancy indeed and incredibly colourful, especially the children.

This was the first time this event was held in Geraldton. Congratulations to Ernest Gutsa, the President, and Hari Kumar, the Vice-President of the Midwest Multicultural Association, who were responsible for the event. The evening was filled with music and dance, by young and old—even the member for Durack. It was a wonderful community celebration. A fabulous example of how Australia is an inclusive multi-cultural community and I look forward to being involved in many more of these events.