Ms BYRNES (Cunningham) (09:49): The Illawarra is an extremely diverse and multicultural region where, for decades, people from all walks of life have come together to create such a vibrant community and to help build the industries that support our region. The rich cultural heritage is celebrated almost year round with numerous festivals and community events, which was on full display when we had the Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Julian Hill, visit Wollongong last month.
Assistant Minister Hill spent the weekend visiting a number of the many vibrant multicultural organisations that make our region so unique. Our first visit was to the Illawarra Filipino & Multicultural Women's Group, who were celebrating their 39th anniversary. For 39 years, this remarkable group has been supporting the community, providing a welcoming space where women from diverse backgrounds can come together, share their stories, inspire one another and keep cultural traditions alive. They have built a supportive and inclusive network where women can find friendship, guidance and a sense of belonging. Over the years, the Illawarra Filipino & Multicultural Women's Group has also supported many incredible causes, such as the Cancer Council and disaster relief efforts both here and overseas. Thank you to their president, Remi Macina, founding member Lilia McKinnon and the committee for working so hard behind the scenes to create such an inclusive group.
Our second visit was to celebrate with the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Cross for their 70th anniversary. For the past seven decades, our vibrant Greek community in the Illawarra has made significant and meaningful contributions to our local area. The parish priest, Father Sophronios, and the Church of the Holy Cross in Wollongong have been a central pillar in the lives of many of the Greek community, providing a space of worship and enabling cultural activities. Thank you, Eugenia Spyrides, for your lovely speech at the event, and thank you to the whole parish for enriching our community by sharing your customs, traditions and amazing food and coffee with the Illawarra.
The third stop was to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Nan Tien Temple. The Nan Tien Temple is one of many temples of Fo Guang Shan, which was founded in 1967 by the late Venerable Master Hsing Yun. The late venerable master's life was a wonderful example of not only how the teachings of Buddha can impact ones personal journey towards enlightenment but also how they can radiate compassion, wisdom and selflessness. It was an honour to join the Most Venerable Hsin Bau and Venerable Miao Yu for the celebrations, where they were presented with a signed certificate by the Prime Minister in recognition of this momentous occasion.
The final event for the weekend was a barbecue with the Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra, where we shared a meal with many of our local multicultural leaders and shared stories over a delicious meal. MCCI is an integral part of the Illawarra, with a proud history of supporting local migrant communities.
