Panel discussion upholds values of harmony, interfaith & multiculturalism

Brisbane, March 23 (Australia India News Newsdesk)

A panel discussion was organized at the Vedanta Centre Brisbane on the occasion of the Harmony Day celebrations.

Maha Sinnathamby AM, Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding, Shayne Neumann MP, Councillor Nicole Jonic, Councillor Paul Tully, and Dr Ram Mohan, president of Multicultural Communities Connect Queensland, and also representative of the Community Council of Queensland participated in the discussion. Here is an excerpt from the panel discussion.

Moderator to Shayne Neumann MP: Shayne, what is one of the things in most recent times that has given you the most gratification as a contribution to the community? We've seen so many positive contributions. We've seen so many that you have been responsible for. What is one that stands out to you that is worth mentioning with Harmony Day?

Shayne Neumann MP: One that stands out to me is, in fact, is, $50,000, that I've recently got for the Vendata Centre. So on top of the funding for the upgrade of the kitchen and the gardens and the trees, I've successfully achieved the fact that there's more money from the federal government into the Vendata Centre than my own church, by the way. I'm sure the senior pastor of my church tomorrow will have a word with me about that. But Harmony Day is a really important day. Last Sunday, I was at the Canberra mandir, which is the opening for the BAPS Hindu Temple in Canberra, for the growing Hindu community in the ACT. And the Shanti prayers we're doing there for the inner peace of people. This Harmony Day today falls during a number of really important religious celebrations, Purim, which is the liberation of the Jewish people from oppression, Lent, which is about reflection before Easter and the crucifixion for Christians, and Ramadan, where people of Islamic faith think about how their faith is important to them and how they can do good works.

So Harmony Day falls in this important period of time. So I want to congratulate the Vendata Centre and, of course, politicians and the Springfield City Group and the whole community here for the contribution you make to peace and harmony. We did not recognize the importance of peace and harmony for six decades. And I'm so pleased that Uncle Glenn talked about the 250 language groups and diversity of our First Nations people. Because not only is that important, but it is 7.5 million people have come from overseas, many of them here in Springfield, living in our local community, ensuring that interfaith and multiculturalism is at the forefront of the Springfield and Ipswich community. So that's what Harmony Day means for me, and that's why I think it's important for our local community.

Moderator to Dr Ram Mohan: Ram, you're wearing two hats tonight, the president of multicultural communities, and the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland. And I know you wear many other hats in the community. But can you tell us why it's important for events like Harmony Day, to celebrate diversity for the various ethnicities out there? Because let's face it, there are some ethnic groups who feel a bit isolated, who feel that they've left their home country, and they don't have anywhere that they can belong. I feel that this region, the Springfield area, has really embraced multiculturalism very, very strongly. How do you feel it's important for us to celebrate not only days like this, but other multicultural events that you have been a part of over the years, and continue to be a part of?

Dr Ram Mohan: With the community, as we all know, there are more than 120 countries we represent in Australia. And also we acknowledge that there is a racial discrimination still existing. We are a fair country. We do equitably, respectfully, all we talk in terms of love. But still there is racism existing in the country. One of the things where even the United Nations have come last week or weeks before, they came to Australia, they looked at one of the communities, which is an African community. And looking at the report, you see that they are under siege of racism in Australia. Can you believe that? That is the reality of here, what's happening with racism. The second point which we all talk about is this. We would like to see a respectable, socially cohesive, and equitable society. So that's what we are all looking for. We all embrace that multiculturalism in a respectful way for all the communities represented in these countries.

Moderator to Mayor Teresa Harding: Please tell us, you've already done so much in your initial tenure for the region, and I have to say, I travelled through Ipswich last week sometime, and it almost looks like a reinvigorated city, especially things like the library, they're educating our youngsters, they're educating our entire community, so the festivals that are there, the shops, the amenities, absolutely amazing under your attention. What do you see the next term bringing to the region of Ipswich?

Mayor Teresa Harding: Thank you very much, and I just want to, I won't cover the ground that Shayne and Mohan have discussed, but I think here when we talk about Harmony Day and Harmony Week, we have very visible showing of music and songs and food and culture to talk about the different cultures. Where we want to go is that next step. What we want to say is that we're truly inclusive. It's nice to see each other's food and national dress and music, but we're doing that as a way to get to know each other, to break that ice, and to respect the differences and celebrate the differences, and the many common things that we have. No matter which culture, we all love our family, and the different cultures have different faiths, and we all have faiths. So I think it's really important that we take that next step as a city. We have people from 163 different countries in Ipswich, and speaking over 150 different languages. So it's a real opportunity for us to come together. Our population is doubling over the next 16 to 17 years, so it's really a great opportunity for us to open our arms, open our minds, and make sure we embrace everyone who comes here. I think it's very simple to say that it's very, very obvious to a lot of people in Brisbane that now Ipswich is a new place to live and to see as an opportunity, as Brisbane unfortunately is becoming more landlocked, more expensive, and it's good to see still a lot of that young talent coming up to bring value to Ipswich, to take it to the next generation.

Moderator to Maha Sinnathamby: Maha, you have been a stalwart supporter of the Vedanta movement ever since you moved to Australia, and I know it's been in your DNA. What is one of the most memorable moments of being involved with the Vedanta Center? You've seen it do many charitable acts, you've seen it do many spiritual pioneering endeavours. What's the thing that you feel Vedanta has done, in your memory that stands out and symbolizes something special for harmony in it?

Maha Sinnathamby AM: I think, and all of you friends, particularly, I say I can only go back to my old life in Australia, and I'll come to your next question later on. I came here at the age of 17 from Malaysia. I was put into a boat, and I landed in Perth. The next thing is, I was in Sydney. The town that I came from had no electricity or water supply, and to come to a city that was living at an electronic speed was a big shock. But to me, it was just one night stand. It was not going to make any difference to me. The same day, I was back again, back to my old world. I honestly and sincerely say, and I've said to many, many Australians that have any form of criticism of any kind. I said, I don't look for it, I don't care for it, and I feel sorry for those who look for it, but I'm on my way. I've got my journey to go. I've got my journey, I've got my boat, I've got to be faithful to myself and my friends around me. And it's amazing how many friends I've had. Even to today, I have more Australian friends than Indian friends. Because I don't feel any difference. Why should I feel any difference? I don't want to label myself with anything that others would label me. I have my own label, I have my own spirit, I have my own goals and my own aspirations, and my own objectives and goals for the country. It's a great nation. We certainly live in the greatest country in the world, a multicultural country. We are going to grow more and more, and more multicultural. We are all going to one day form one society, one nation. As the song goes, we are one, we are many, but we are all one. We'll end up there, we are getting there very, very fast. And I'm so glad to see this great country going so fast.

Moderator to Councillor Paul Tully: We appreciate your contribution to the community and how that's ongoing. A man who has done a lot for the community over decades and, like I said, it is important to give a tribute to understand that Councillor Tully, while he only looks 35, he is the longest-serving Councillor in Queensland. So, Councillor Tully, like I said, you, again, a person, a man of people who always sets out to our events, our community functions. Thank you for that. You have also been here literally since the start of Springfield. You've seen it all. You've been through the floods. You've been through the highs. You've been through the lows. What is one of the most memorable moments that you have served the people that you think relates to Harmony Day? And what does Harmony Day mean for you? And what are you most excited about the future of this great region?

Councillor Paul Tully: The most memorable thing that I can recall was 30 years ago when I met a man who had a vision. And that was Maha (Maha Sinnathamby).

And Maha might remember that it was at Milton in Brisbane. And the restaurant with the Eiffel Tower, the mini Eiffel Tower there. And Maha outlined to me his vision for a super city. Not in Ipswich in those days, but it was in the Moreton Shire, which this area was. The city of Ipswich was a very small city and area, 121 square kilometres. And Maha's vision was to turn bushland into a thriving metropolis. And Maha, you remember that day, no doubt, or that evening. And it was the start of a great friendship. Little did I realize at that time what the development would bring. It was more than just housing. It was more than just a few corner stores. But it was a major development that brought a lot of people together, people from many nations, many countries. And over the years, during that period of time, I've benefited from the interaction with our very, very diverse community, particularly the Indian community, which is very strong within the Springfield region. And Harmony Day means that we all work together. Or Harmony Week, as it was mentioned earlier, working together, not just for a day or a week, but for a whole year, a whole decade, ongoing into the future. It is so good to be here this evening. This is a wonderful region, but it's also a wonderful gathering of people who are like-minded, who want to work together. And working together, living together, is what harmony means to me. So I'd like to congratulate all the organizers today, people who are involved in this day. I'll continue to work with you and with our community. It's 43 years now. I don't think it'll be another 43 years. Although Milton Dick, the federal member, sometimes introduces me as having represented the area for 87 years, which is not quite right. But it's great to see you all this evening, and I hope to see you again in the future.

Moderator to Councillor Paul Tully: A person who, in my opinion, has quite a challenging job, partnering with Paul. I shouldn't, no, I'm kidding, Paul, don't write me any nasty emails after this, I'm telling you. But Paul, just quickly, besides being our local political celebrity, we also know that you're our media celebrity, keeping us in the loop of what's happening around the community, around the region. How can we follow Paul Tully Media celebrity? What's the handle?

Councillor Paul Tully: Well, that's pretty easy on Facebook, just Paul Tully Media. What I try to do is to have a diverse representation of issues, which could be anything from the local weather, as to what's happening anywhere in the community. It's not purely political. So, Paul Tully Media is there for everyone to have their contribution, and so that we as a local community, with the demise of the Queensland Times, our local newspaper, the demise of three newspapers except one here in our community, I try to keep people informed of what's happening right here in the Springfield region.

Moderator to Councillor Nicole Jonic: Thank you for your contributions to your tenure that you've just finished, and you're starting your next tenure. You've covered a very exciting time within the region, and I know that you've been there, you've had a previous professional role, but your new role in representing the region at such an exciting time, what would you like to see? We're almost living the dream. We live the nightmare, you get to live the dream. That's the way you look at it, isn't it?

Councillor Nicole Jonic: I see it every day, and I see it in our children, and I see it in our schools, and I see just the multiculturalism and the social cohesion that just happens, just organically, and it's beautiful. It's my favourite thing. It's actually just going on between the schools, and talking to the children, we get them together, and we get them to discuss major topics, like whether we should change that road into a water park, and they always come up with the right, responsible answers, and they're always respectful, and they're always well explained, and so I'm already seeing it, and I am looking forward to the future, because that is the future.

Moderator to Councillor Nicole Jonic: Well, Nicole, I just want to finish with one last question. What are you most excited about for the future of this region?

Councillor Nicole Jonic: I think that there are so many exciting things happening in so many areas. I think, for me, one of the things that I'm very excited about is places like the pedagogy centre, because they brought that in an era, which is very digital now, because, you know, kids might get back to their grassroots, and I think that's a fun pedagogy centre, but I think, as a region, we need to see more of those types of places, not only for our young people, but for everyone. I think that a lot of our community needs to, in this, you know, fast-paced world of digital tech, actually connect back to earth and to country, and the more outdoors we can bring into our communities, the better they will be. And I think that we've got so many hidden gems in our region that I just can't wait for others to celebrate it, and for us to campaign, and to advocate to get what we deserve for our whole community, because we're just full of amazement, and no-one knows how far we've come today.