The Federal Minister for Education, Jason Clare, has described the Children’s
Festival in New South Wales as an important antidote to racism.
He was speaking at a fund-raising dinner and book launch in Bankstown, where
the festival was founded, to celebrate 25 years of Children’s Festivals across
Sydney. More than four hundred supporters from all over Sydney attended the
dinner.
“We are the best country in the world because we are made up of people from
all around the world – all different backgrounds, all different religions, all
different communities living together in harmony. That makes us a message to
the rest of the world.
“We do it better here in Bankstown than anywhere else in Australia and the
Children’s Festival is a symbol of that. It tells us what is possible and gives us a
lesson on what is possible”.
“The important lesson that the Children’s Festival teaches to our children every
day is how to be our better selves and how to live together every day in
harmony.”
The Minister told the audience: “Racism is something that is learned and it’s
something we can all ensure doesn’t happen to our children. So, the Children’s
Festival is an important antidote to racism”.
Speaking at the dinner, the Founder and President of the Children’s Festival,
Thuat Nguyen AM, thanked the guests for their collaboration and support over
the last 25 years.
“We have been working together to help build harmony and social cohesion in
our multicultural Australia. “We have worked together to successfully stage 40
Children’s Festivals across Sydney, attracting over a quarter of a million people
from diverse cultural backgrounds.
“The success of our Children’s Festival demonstrates that our Children’s
Festival meets the expectation of the community in many ways. All of us can be
proud that we have contributed fruitfully to our multicultural Australia, one of
the most successful multicultural countries in the world.
“With your collaboration, with your support, we can achieve our goals and
continue to create positive change.
“Together, we are making a difference. And together, we are building a better
world now and an even better future for the younger generations,” he said.
The book “Children’s Festival for Australia: A 25-Year Journey” was also
launched on this occasion.
The State Member for Cabramatta, Mr. Tri Vo, the Mayor of Canterbury
Bankstown Council, Councillor Bilal El-Hayek, and the Deputy Mayor,
Councillor Rachelle Harika also attended.
The next Children’s Festival will be held on Sunday 27 th of October at Playford
Park, Cahors Road, close to the Railway Station, Padstow from 11am to 5pm. Entry is free.
