Jason Wood (La Trobe, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Community Safety, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Namaste. I rise today to speak about the recent Hindu festival celebrations I had the great honour of attending in my electorate of La Trobe. The Hare Krishna movement, ISKCON, organised two very important Hindu festivals at Akoonah Park, in Berwick: the Casey Festival of Colours for Holi and the Rama Navami festival. The two events were incredibly well organised, great for families and very joyous occasions. The Holi Festival of Colours is a celebration of love, unity and joy. The festival signifies the triumph of good over evil. I must say that every time I go to one of these events I need to buy a new suit or shirt because I get covered in coloured chalk. Holi has now become one of the most popular events celebrated right across Australia.

Rama Navami festival celebrates the birth of Lord Rama. It is celebrated with profound reverence and in festivals across the world by so many Hindu communities. Thousands of Hindus and wider community members attended both of these festival celebrations at Akoonah Park. Cultural performances, delicious food and children's activities were thoroughly enjoyed by everyone attending these events. I thank the members of ISKCON and their volunteers for hosting these fantastic festival celebrations that also bring the wider Australian community together. They generously shared their culture, art, language and festivals with the wider community, making Australia the greatest place on earth.