Julie Owens (Parramatta, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Australia) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On 26 January, people all over Parramatta got together to mark Australia Day. They got together with friends and family to reflect or celebrate. My local councils hosted a number of citizenship ceremonies this year, with almost 750 people in the electorate pledging themselves to Australia. I also hosted one, which is always an incredible pleasure as, for many, the ceremony marks a very special day in their lives.

Once again, the City of Parramatta Council organised a festival in Parramatta Park, and it was humming when I got down there before lunch. I also celebrated with the Maltese Community Council, where we recognised the members of the Australian-Maltese community who had received Orders of Australia. Thank you to the President, Emanuel Camilleri, for the invitation to participate, and congratulations to the most recipient participants, Charlie Mifsud and George Bartolo. The United Australian Lebanese Movement threw a wonderful Australia Day awards ceremony and cocktail party where we celebrated the achievements and contributions of the Australian-Lebanese community. It was the 20th year for the event and they show no sign of running out of extraordinary Australians to honour.

Thank you, also to the president of the United India Association, John Kennedy, for allowing me to share your very special triple-treat event celebrating Australia Day, India Republic Day and the Australian-Indian HSC high achievers. My apologies to both the City of Parramatta and Cumberland councils for not being able to squeeze your official celebrations into a packed day. My apologies, also, to Mustafa Hamed and Faydi Saddik for not being able to make your event.