Bert Van Manen (Forde, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

This month Sikhs in our local communities around the world are commemorating the 550th anniversary of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev Ji. I'd like to take this moment to thank the Brisbane Sikh community, who yesterday celebrated the birth of their spiritual master by hosting a successful community tree-planting day at Eagleby wetlands in my electorate of Forde. Off the back of our motion this morning about multiculturalism, I think it's very relevant and very heartening to see so many people from different cultural backgrounds and faiths come together for the benefit of the environment. Many families with children and babies in tow showed up to roll up their sleeves and plant over 1,000 saplings for the conservation of the local environment. The attendees also enjoyed a traditional brunch served by volunteers and watched a performance by a choir and martial art demonstrations by the kids.

The theme of the day was to reconnect with nature, because one of the concerns of the Sikh community is that, as we're becoming increasingly dependent on technology, that is disconnecting us from nature and each other. I believe doing this environmental work begins with local communities fostering a connection with their natural environment, so I'd like to extend my thanks to the Brisbane Sikh community for their efforts and hospitality and, of course, to everyone who pitched in.

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