Tuesday, 31 October 2023

 Lee TARLAMIS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (13:28): Recently I had the privilege of attending the Unity in Diversity Festival in Dandenong, an event organised by the amazing Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre. For three decades the SMRC have provided invaluable support and services to refugees, migrants and asylum seekers, ensuring they have not only the support needed on arrival but also the resources needed to settle and begin to build a new and fulfilled life here in Victoria. With over 120 multilingual workers and over 160 volunteers speaking over 55 languages, SMRC’s passionate and dedicated team makes a real difference in ensuring the community is connected to the supports and services needed when they are needed most.

The Unity in Diversity Festival was an opportunity to come together to celebrate our wonderfully vibrant and diverse community in Melbourne’s south-east. The festival was an embodiment of unity and a testament to our collective strength. Even in the face of adverse weather conditions, the festival was filled with traditional cultural performances, informative community stalls and delicious cuisines. It was great to see the resolve of so many to attend and participate, to catch up with so many friends and to make new connections. The festival was a celebration of the strength and determination, the spirit of community and the shared commitment to inclusivity and togetherness that exists in the south-east. Melbourne’s south-east is a microcosm of the rich cultural tapestry that defines our state and our nation and home to many diverse stories. It is the coming together and sharing of these stories that creates the connection between us all, and the SMRC plays a pivotal role in bringing these stories together, providing a space where we can share, learn and grow together in a comfortable and safe environment. Thank you to the SMRC for all that you do, and happy 30th birthday.