❓ Mr. Abetz inquires about Diwali celebrations and their benefits to WA. The Minister provides an update, highlighting government support and the Indian community's positive contribution.
AnsweredQoN 937Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
MULTICULTURALISM
— DIWALI CELEBRATIONS
937. Mr P. ABETZ to the
Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Interests:
Could the minister please provide an update on the Diwali
celebrations that are happening and the benefits that these types of events
bring to our state?
— DIWALI CELEBRATIONS
937. Mr P. ABETZ to the
Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Interests:
Could the minister please provide an update on the Diwali
celebrations that are happening and the benefits that these types of events
bring to our state?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question and acknowledge the
involvement of the large and growing Indian community in Western Australia. As
members know, Diwali—or Deepavali, as it is known by southern Indians—is
an annual Indian Festival of Lights, which signifies victory of good over evil.
It is celebrated by all Indians across the world. It is an increasingly large
multicultural event in Western Australia. For the first time, to mark the
official date of Diwali in 2015, which is based on the cycle of the moon, this
state Parliament building will be lit up by lights tonight in the traditional
Diwali colour of orange. Some years ago, we set up five major culturally and
linguistically diverse events every year and Diwali is one of those. We also
work very closely with a number of Indian associations and groups to organise a
multitude of events across the state during Diwali. The Indian Society of
Western Australia, led by its president, Mukesh Jain, is organising six events
across the state as an umbrella organisation. Some of those have already been
held at Forrest Chase in Perth, Piara Waters, Rockingham, South Perth and
Kingsway. On Saturday, the final event will be held at HBF Arena at Joondalup.
If last year is the marker—I understand it is going to be a very hot
day at 37 degrees—35 000 people attended this event. It will go from
noon till 8.00 pm and I encourage everybody to attend.
One of the best festivals we have in terms of CALD
communities is the annual Swan Festival of Lights, which was held at the
Supreme Court Gardens from Friday, 6 November to Sunday, 8 November this year,
and attracted 40 000 to 50 000 people. This festival is now in its eighth year
and is run by the Temple of Fine Arts and Annalakshmi on the Swan. The state
government supported both of these events. Diwali festivals will also be held
in the Cities of Bunbury and Geraldton. As we know, from the longstanding
Indian community in Western Australia, particularly over the last 10 years,
Indians from all around the world, including Hindus, of course, but also those
from Malaysia and Singapore, have been major sources of migrants to the state.
They have been amongst the top four for the last 10 years. Their large
community constitutes a very large, positive contribution to Western Australia.
I wish them happy Diwali.
involvement of the large and growing Indian community in Western Australia. As
members know, Diwali—or Deepavali, as it is known by southern Indians—is
an annual Indian Festival of Lights, which signifies victory of good over evil.
It is celebrated by all Indians across the world. It is an increasingly large
multicultural event in Western Australia. For the first time, to mark the
official date of Diwali in 2015, which is based on the cycle of the moon, this
state Parliament building will be lit up by lights tonight in the traditional
Diwali colour of orange. Some years ago, we set up five major culturally and
linguistically diverse events every year and Diwali is one of those. We also
work very closely with a number of Indian associations and groups to organise a
multitude of events across the state during Diwali. The Indian Society of
Western Australia, led by its president, Mukesh Jain, is organising six events
across the state as an umbrella organisation. Some of those have already been
held at Forrest Chase in Perth, Piara Waters, Rockingham, South Perth and
Kingsway. On Saturday, the final event will be held at HBF Arena at Joondalup.
If last year is the marker—I understand it is going to be a very hot
day at 37 degrees—35 000 people attended this event. It will go from
noon till 8.00 pm and I encourage everybody to attend.
One of the best festivals we have in terms of CALD
communities is the annual Swan Festival of Lights, which was held at the
Supreme Court Gardens from Friday, 6 November to Sunday, 8 November this year,
and attracted 40 000 to 50 000 people. This festival is now in its eighth year
and is run by the Temple of Fine Arts and Annalakshmi on the Swan. The state
government supported both of these events. Diwali festivals will also be held
in the Cities of Bunbury and Geraldton. As we know, from the longstanding
Indian community in Western Australia, particularly over the last 10 years,
Indians from all around the world, including Hindus, of course, but also those
from Malaysia and Singapore, have been major sources of migrants to the state.
They have been amongst the top four for the last 10 years. Their large
community constitutes a very large, positive contribution to Western Australia.
I wish them happy Diwali.
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