Thursday, 17 October 2024

Dussehra festival

Joe McCRACKEN (Western Victoria) (09:57): I rise to speak about the Dussehra festival over in Rockbank, which happened over the weekend just gone. It is an important event in the Hindu calendar, celebrating the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and the hope of justice prevailing over injustice. I was joined by my colleagues from this chamber and the other place and federal colleagues as well. I want to pay particular respects to the committee; Mr Joshi, the president; and Mr Verma, the vice-president; who did a wonderful job putting together a celebration where over 15,000 people attended at the Sri Durga temple, which I might add is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. I want to acknowledge all Hindus as well, particularly those who live within the Melton area, which is in my electorate of Western Victoria Region. If you were there on Sunday, you would have seen dancing, colour, some awesome live performances, some fabulous food and, more importantly than anything else, a community coming together to celebrate a very important event. As many Hindus were saying on the day, Jai Shri Ram, and I wish everyone from the Hindu community all the best as they continue their celebrations throughout October.