Matt Thistlethwaite (Kingsford Smith, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I wish to congratulate the students, teachers and staff of South Sydney High School, who recently hosted their third annual multicultural flag day. I have often said that the best thing about representing the people of Kingsford Smith is their wonderful diversity and multiculturalism.

That was on display on 28 July at South Sydney High School with their multicultural flag day. This is an idea the students came up with. The flag day serves to recognise and celebrate the different cultural backgrounds of the school community. Students wore traditional clothing and waved flags from 74 different countries representing their own family and cultural heritage. Dances, songs, and speeches all served to highlight the value of diversity, including a special presentation from former showgirl of China's first burlesque club and author of The good girl of Chinatown, Jenevieve Chang.

The passion and pride of students for their cultural heritage was clear for all to see. It's wonderful to see it in such a supportive and accepting environment. Congratulations to the students of South Sydney High School for coming up with this initiative of celebrating multiculturalism and diversity in their community, and on hosting a very successful multicultural flag day. I was very pleased and honoured to be able to take part.