Cassandra Fernando (Holt, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last month I joined the members of Compassionate Hands to celebrate Lohri. For many Sikh and Punjabi families in my electorate of Holt and, indeed, across the world, this festival holds a deep cultural and personal significance. Lohri marks the harvest season, but it is also so much more than that. It is a celebration of gratitude, family and community, bringing people together around the Lohri fire to share stories, laughter and hope for the year ahead. I want to thank the entire Compassionate Hands team, especially the president, Jagdeep Singh Sukhija, for organising such a wonderful event and for creating spaces where culture, faith and community can celebrate together.

I also want to send my very best wishes to the families who celebrated their very first Lohri welcoming a new baby or celebrating a new marriage. These moments are incredibly meaningful, and Lohri provides a beautiful way to begin a new chapter surrounded by love and community. May the warmth of the Lohri fire bring everyone good health, wealth, happiness and prosperity.

That same spirit of connection and community was evident at the Heinz Southern District Cricket Club's annual Ladies Day high tea, a celebration of the vital role that women and families play in sport. It was an afternoon complete with market stalls, delicious snacks, raffles and, of course, door prizes. It brought together mothers, wives, grandmothers and supporters, the true backbone of every local club. Behind every match, behind every fundraiser, there are families providing essential support emotionally, practically and psychologically. They organise, they welcome new members, they cheer on players and, in doing so, they build the confidence and resilience that shape not only athletes but stronger communities. In an age where many of us are pulled towards our screens, community sports stands as a powerful place for connection, friendship and shared memories. And, as women's sport continues to grow and inspire young girls across Holt, I want to thank Vicki Harding and the entire HSD Cricket Club committee for their incredible work and hosting such a meaningful event.