CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS
Dr GARLAND (Chisholm) (10:33): On Friday evening I was honoured to attend the inauguration ceremony of the Melbourne World Friendship Association of Fuqing's Mid-Autumn Festival gala event. This special occasion marked the inauguration of the association's 13th executive committee while celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival, one of the most cherished traditional festivals in Chinese culture, celebrating family, the harvest and the moon with the sharing of moon cakes.
The evening brought together community leaders, government representatives, business leaders and members of Victoria's multicultural community to celebrate friendship, cultural heritage and the spirit we all share in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne and right across the state. I commend the dedication and the hard work of the Melbourne World Friendship Association of Fuqing and their members for fostering a prosperous relationship between Australian, Chinese and Fuqing businesses.
Their work not only deepens our economic and trade ties with China but also strengthens Australia and China's cultural connections. The Mid-Autumn Festival is a symbol of unity and family bonds, and I know this resonated deep within each of us at the gala. The tradition of the Mid-Autumn Festival is all about bringing families together, promoting the sharing of food and basking in the beauty of the full moon.
Australia, of course, takes pride in the unity and harmony that underlie our diverse multicultural landscapes. Indeed, the story of Australia remains incomplete without telling that story, including the story of the contributions of Chinese Australians over many, many decades. We know that Chinese Australian roots in this nation are deep and have greatly contributed to our nation's prosperity.
Indeed, the invaluable contribution that migrant communities make have made our country better. In my own electorate of Chisholm, we've got more than a third of residents from Chinese heritage. I know how important the contributions made by the Chinese Australian community are and how important celebrations like the Mid-Autumn Festival are to our community.
I'm proud to be part of a government, the Albanese Labor government, that continues to support migrant communities in Australia, ensuring that every voice in our society is heard and valued. We are committed to fostering dialogue between Australia and China and further strengthening our relationship in the interests of both countries. I want to very much extend my best wishes to the new executive committee for their significant milestone of the 13th executive committee and congratulate everyone on their election.
And, to the outgoing committee, thank you for your hard work. I wish you continued growth and success. Happy Moon Festival to all; Jong Chiu Kwai Le.
Shie shie!