Julie Owens (Parramatta, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Madam Deputy Speaker Claydon, I know you were part of the Auslan Leaders Challenge just a few weeks ago, where 30 politicians and leaders produced a video in Auslan to celebrate the International Day of Sign Languages in September. I rise today to share yet another great event. This time it's local and it will take place at the weekend in my electorate. It is the 2019 Deaf Festival, hosted by the Deaf Society, held on the banks of the Parramatta River on Saturday 19 October. The sign for Deaf Festival is 'deaf', like this, and 'festival', like waving some little flags. It's a great sign. Once again, we'll see workshops, dancing, Auslan story time for kids, crafts, face painting, a jumping castle, Auslan choir and heaps of films. It promises to be a huge celebration of deaf culture, language, history, achievements and our people.

The festival also marks the Deaf Society's birthday, who are—wait for it—106 years old this year, being first established way back in 1913. For those 106 years, together with their clients, they have been working towards a vision of equity for deaf, deafblind and hard-of-hearing people ever since. It's an extraordinary organisation and I'm incredibly proud to have it in my electorate. I have learnt so much from them over the years. Happy birthday, Deaf Society. Hopefully the next 106 years will be as good as the last 106. I'll see you on Saturday.

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