Zaneta Mascarenhas (Swan, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'll read a poem I wrote, inspired by Dorothea McKellar and Harmony Week:

I love my sunburnt country,

With its brilliant starry skies.

My mum and dad chose this land,

Hope flickering in their eyes.

I love my sunburnt country,

A landscape of rich red dirt,

Where friends become family

Because they're salt of the earth.

Folks come from across rolling seas

To build a marvellous life,

Yearning to call Oz home, then

Using their strong migrant drive.

To rip yourself from family

And friends is no easy feat.

Why would anyone do this?

Simply, it's 'cause of belief.

Belief in Australia

And all the opportunities.

Belief in what she may become.

Hope is what she's given me.

Awash with eucalyptus rains,

A reminder of this ancient earth,

Linking the past to the present

To give this life a new birth.

Thanks for embracing me, Swan.

I stand here ready to serve.

Australia is my home,

A feeling that I'll preserve.

To every child who sees this

Land's magic and is spellbound,

Know that you are welcome here

Regardless of your background.

Please fulfil your destiny—

Perhaps a chef, an engineer,

A tradie or a doctor

Or even the prime minister.

In our land of a fair go

You're accepted for who you are.

You belong, you are loved, so

Dream big and reach for the stars.