Pako Festa
Chris COUZENS (Geelong) (09:45): Recently the member for Lara joined me at the Geelong Pako Festa, which is proudly supported by the Allan government. It is always an honour to officially open the Pako Festa. I acknowledge and thank all the multicultural communities who participated in the street parade led by Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative. With all the food stalls, the dancing and singing and the cultural costumes, this really was a sharing of culture like no other. I also acknowledge and thank the organisers of Pako Festa for the past 43 years, Cultura CEO Joy Leggo, Cultura board members and the event coordinator Lou LaFornara and her team. Pako Festa is a reminder of the importance of multiculturalism. Geelong is a great multicultural community. However, given the behaviour of some, we must continue to work hard to ensure inclusion, diversity, harmony and – (Time expired)