Thursday, 12 September 2024

Western Metropolitan Region community festivals

Trung LUU (Western Metropolitan) (10:05): It is the time of year in which many cultures celebrate the harvest time, and many cultural traditions relate to their festivals. On the weekend I had the honour of attending the Hindu Dharma Community of Melbourne to celebrate the Onam festival. Onam is one of the biggest and most important festivals in the state of Kerala in India. It represents the harvest festival and celebrates the rich culture and heritage, with grand feasts and with families gathering and representing their traditions. The months of August and September, according to the Gregorian calendar, are harvest time, so I want to congratulate and thank the Hindu Dharma Community of Melbourne, especially Venu Nair, the president, and all the volunteers for the wonderful festival. Harvest is also represented in the Chinese calendar in the New Moon festival, which represents harvest time in their traditions. I had the honour of joining NEWGENs Community Education, St Paul’s parish and Brimbank City Council in celebrating New Moon at West Sunshine, which represents all the students and all the families in West Sunshine, with the New Moon festival representing thanksgiving and the gathering of families.