STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Ms LE (Fowler) (13:30): Refugee Week was held from 14 to 20 June this year, with the theme of 'A Million Stories'. I have lived one of those million stories myself. As the first member of the House who is of Vietnamese refugee heritage, I'm humbled to stand here today.

I joined the students of Liverpool Boys High School for their harmony celebration in Refugee Week. I want to thank the school community for their warm invitation. I watched these young men proudly showcase who they are, Arabic drumming, Bollywood dancing, traditional Samoan dancing and proudly displaying cultural flags.

What makes this even more remarkable is that the school is doing all of this from a temporary campus while their own school is being rebuilt. To put on a celebration with such pride and energy under those conditions is a real credit to the students, the teachers and the families. I congratulate them.

What I saw that day was a perfect reflection of Fowler. We are one of the most multicultural communities in the entire country. Our community is built on the resilience of people who arrive from every corner of the globe, many with very little, carrying heavy burdens but holding on to hope.

I live and breathe this every day. A day like this teaches our young people to be proud of their heritage, to respect our differences and to be grateful that we have all found a home in this wonderful country. We are one, but we are many.

So my message to the students of Liverpool Boys High and right across Fowler is simple: be proud of your heritage, as well as being proud Australians.