Joanne Ryan (Lalor, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to commend both African Media Australia and the Forum for Indian Australians on their wonderful India-Africa Festival held on 22 September in the electorate of Lalor. It was a great celebration of multicultural diversity in our electorate and in our community. The festival was a day to engage in cultural programs showcasing the African and Indian cultures, and it included a friendly soccer game. The festival was a fine example of how communities can work together to bring about social cohesion.

I want to acknowledge the work of the Forum for Indian Australians in the electorate and thank them for the work they do to assist our Indian Australian community and for their reaching out to other community groups in the electorate. They've delivered many social programs in the community, with a particular focus on health, wellbeing and sports. A particular highlight in the community calendar is the 'light up Wyndham' Diwali event, and this year I'm again looking forward to seeing the community lit up in the lights for Diwali. I was pleased also to name Amit Singh a Lalor Hero last week for his work in the Forum for Indian Australians.

In communities like ours with a rapidly growing population, it is the grassroots work in community organisations that builds our communities. Our strength is in our cohesion, in reaching out to one another and developing understanding between groups. I am happy to say that in my community that happens every day.