Anne Webster (Mallee, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last month, I had the immense privilege to address the wonderful people of Beulah. Tucked into the centre of the barley belt and the famous Silo Art Trail, Beulah is home to just over 300 people—small in numbers but absolutely big in heart. Earlier this year, Beulah was put on the map for all the wrong reasons. A flag featuring a swastika was raised on a flagpole by a local couple. This symbol of racial supremacy is a representation of mass atrocities, and it rightly outraged the rest of the town and the state of Victoria. The police were involved, and, thankfully, the offending flag was taken down. The incident shocked local residents and caused outrage around the world. But you know what? The people of Beulah share a courageous community spirit, common to many in my electorate of Mallee, and they rallied together to show solidarity, sending a clear message that such a divisive icon is not representative of their community. An event was held which celebrated the flags of many country around the world, signifying Beulah's shared values of friendship, diversity and open-heartedness. Beulah is the salt of the earth. Salt preserves and gives flavour. The residents of Beulah preserve and give flavour to what is truly good. That is why, as the member for Mallee, I am proud to stand with Beulah.