Julie Owens (Parramatta, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business) Share this | Hansard source

This year saw another round of wonderful Diwali celebrations in Parramatta as we marked the Hindu new year and celebrated the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Every year in Parramatta, it's fireworks, lights, food, fashion and great company. I attended a number of events this year and I'd like to thank the organisers and volunteers who made them such a great success. Thanks to the Hindu Council Diwali Fair in Parramatta Park and thanks to the president, Nihal Singh Agar. Thanks to the Little India Diwali Fair in Harris Park, for the first time hosted by the Council of Indian Australians. Thanks to the president, Mohit Kumar. Thanks to the guys at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir for the Annakut Festival in Rosehill, and thanks to Deshan Desai for the invitation. Of course, Diwali was celebrated right here in Parliament House.

There were a few events I couldn't make it to, and some of them I was very sorry to miss. I missed the Diwali celebration dinner organised by the Cumberland Council. I don't know how I missed the Diwali cruise on Sydney Harbour. And I don't know how I missed the India Club grand Diwali party. I am definitely going to that one; it is first on my list next year. I am sorry too to the Australian Hindi Indian Association; I didn't make yours either.

In Parramatta we seem to have Diwali every day over a two-week period. There is an extraordinary number of events as our wonderful Subcontinent community goes out and celebrates one of the great Hindu festivals of the year. Thanks for the invitations, and I'll see you all next year!

See this speech in context