STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Ms COFFEY (Griffith) (16:22): Last weekend, I had the pleasure of joining Brisbane's Cypriot community for the Cyprus Halloumi Cultural Festival, hosted by the Cypriot Community Association of Queensland at Cyprus House in West End. There was plenty of delicious halloumi, souvla and loukoumades, accompanied by traditional music and dancing. It was particularly wonderful to see people from the Cypriot Youth Brisbane Dance Group proudly sharing their culture.

Australia is home to the world's second-largest Cypriot diaspora, and our nations share a longstanding friendship built on strong community ties and shared values. Australia remains a strong supporter of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus. I want to congratulate the Cypriot Community Association of Queensland and its volunteers for another wonderful festival, and I look forward to returning next year.

Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of joining the festivities for Oktoberfest at the Brisbane German Club in Kangaroo Point. With traditional German music, delicious food, colourful costumes and plenty of good cheer, it was another fantastic celebration of culture and community. The Brisbane German Club has been part of our local community for more than 140 years, bringing people together and sharing German culture and traditions with generations of Queenslanders.

Since 1975, Oktoberfest has been a much-loved part of the club's calendar. I am so proud to have this longstanding institution in my electorate of Griffith. Community organisations such as the Brisbane German Club play an important role in preserving cultural traditions and bringing people together.

I want to thank the Brisbane German Club, its members and the many volunteers whose hard work makes Oktoberfest such a wonderful celebration.