I had the pleasure of attending the 22nd St Euphemia College Annual Fundraising Ball on Saturday night. As always, it was an entertaining evening and a wonderful celebration for the school community. Thank you to His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos, Peter Theo OAM & the Board of Directors for their hospitality.
On Sunday afternoon I went along to celebrations marking the 19th Anniversary of Ukrainian Independence Day. The event had been organised by the Ukrainian Council of NSW and was also attended by Barbara Perry MP and Laurie Ferguson MP.
On Thursday evening I was pleased to host a reception to recognise the Revesby Blue Light Disco volunteers. The disco has been running for 22 years and owes it success to those volunteers who willing contribute their time to provide this important opportunity for our young people. Since its inception, Revesby Blue Light Disco has raised over $222,000 for charity with these funds being donated to local schools and other worthwhile community programs. I also commend the Bankstown Local Area Command for their continued support of this initiative. Daryl Melham MP, Alan Ashton MP, Councillors Linda Downey and Max Parker along with Superintendent David Eardley and Detective Inspector Ian Pryde from Bankstown Police were amongst the guests. Congratulations to everyone involved in the Revesby Blue Light Disco.
Last Friday, Bankstown's Youth Advisory Committee organised a Youth Debating Competition in recognition of the International Year of Youth. I was pleased to go along for the concluding stages of the debate, announce the winners and make the presentations to the participants. Students from Bankstown Grammar, Bass High, Birrong Girls High, Condell Park High and East Hills Girls High took part.
This is a special time for many of our residents who are observing Ramadan. On Friday evening Deputy Mayor Khal Asfour and I joined the Lebanese Moslem Association at their Iftar Dinner or “breaking of the fast” meal. The function was attended by many dignitaries including Tony Burke MP, Mayor of Canterbury Robert Furolo MP, Tony Stewart MP, and Canterbury Councillors Brian Robson and Karl Saleh.
Thank you to Clr Asfour for representing me last week at the Iftar Dinner hosted by the Melkite Catholic Eparchy and the Australian Christian Muslim Friendship Society.
My thanks to Deputy Mayor Khal Asfour for recently representing me at a Vietnam Veterans Day Service at Bankstown Sports. The event had been organised by the Vietnam Veterans Peacekeepers and Peacemakers Association of Australia.