David Moncrieff (Hughes, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Heathdene has been such an important part of the Engadine community for generations. In August the church and the preschool both celebrated significant milestones, with the Heathcote Engadine Baptist Church celebrating 65 years and the Heathdene Preschool celebrating 50 years. On 17 August it was lovely to join the celebrations with the Heathdene community, which included a puppet show, live music, face painting and a photo gallery celebrating the decades of the preschool and the church. It was great to tour the revitalised facility with Kathleen, who's the director, and see the amazing services that are offered there. I want to thank the Heathdene community for all their contributions to our community over the last seven decades. We look forward to your work continuing over the decades to come.

It's also been a significant period for our vibrant South-Asian community in south-western Sydney. On 14 August the Pakistani community celebrated Pakistan Independence Day, commemorating 78 years since Pakistan's independence from the British Raj. It was a pleasure to join the Pakistan Association of Australia on 23 August and witness the incredible dances and performances from the Pakistani Australian youth. It was amazing to see such diversity from across the regions of Pakistan on display. It was amazing to see all the different styles from all the different regions of Pakistan. It was fantastic to see that celebration on display. I want to thank the Pakistan Association of Australia and its general secretary, Nabeel Khan, for putting on this incredible celebration of Pakistani culture in Australia.

On 15 August the Nepalese community celebrated Teej, which recognises the incredible role that women play in our communities. It was beautiful to witness the incredible dancing and performances and to learn some of the dance moves with them. I'm still very much in the early days of learning those dances; I must say it wasn't always an amazing sight. I want to thank the president of the Macarthur Region Nepalese Community, Usha Khadka, and vice president, Sony Tuladhar, for organising this event and helping Nepalese culture to prosper in Australia. It's fantastic to see so many people coming out to support a community that is very positive and makes such a big contribution to our society in south-western Sydney.

Last week it was also fantastic to celebrate the Ganeshotsav 2025 festival with the Indian community in Liverpool and to see their amazing dances and celebrations of their culture. Lord Ganesha is the remover of obstacles. Just think about how many obstacles the Friends of India organisation have had to remove over the last 30 years. I want to thank Vinod Scindia for his efforts to organise that event and to say a big dhanyavaada and thankyou to the Friends of India for having me along to what was a fantastic occasion.