House debates

Monday, 18 March 2024

Statements by Members

Werriwa Electorate: Community Events

3:07 pm

Photo of Anne StanleyAnne Stanley (Werriwa, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

Like many of the electorates in Sydney, Werriwa is among the most diverse in Australia. Every month you'll find that our community is celebrating a significant cultural or religious event. It's a powerful demonstration of the cohesion and strength of our community. As a federal member, I also have the absolute pleasure of taking part in these events and I appreciate the invitations. In the first few months of this year alone, our community has marked Lunar New Year, the beginning of Ramadan, Parwanaya, Holi, Easter and Eid.

A few weeks ago, I was delighted to celebrate Lunar New Year at the friendship ark in Cabramatta with many of my colleagues and members of our community. I would like to thank the president of the Australian Chinese Buddhist Society, James Chan, and Secretary Vincent Kong for their invitation and support of the community. Last week I attended an iftar dinner hosted by the ICPA, one of many I'm looking forward to attending during the month of Ramadan. My community is also home to one of the largest Mandaean diasporas in the world, and I wish them a blessed Parwanaya, which began on the weekend. I look forward to celebrating and marking many more dates over the next few months, from Easter, Holi, Eid and many more. Thank you to everyone that invites me to these events.