The Victorian Premier’s Iftar Dinner was a symbol of multiculturalism at its finest, with representatives from all faiths in attendance. I had the privilege of being seated beside Minister Melissa Horne along with a senior Jewish rabbi and Imam Shykh Mohammad Ramzan, amongst many others.
This is the seventh year the dinner is being held, though last year it was organised in COVID-19 fashion as an online event.
In the speeches by the Acting Premier James Merlino and Victoria’s Multicultural Affairs Minister Ros Spence, reference was made to the importance of diversity and difference and how these ideals are important in making our state such a vibrant and welcoming place. Mr Merlino also noted how much he enjoyed his work as the state’s Education Minister by visiting schools and seeing so many smiling faces at school assembly all from so many different parts of the world.
3 March 2021 2:20pm
Victoria is the place for multicultural events, with a mosaic of cultural festivals paying homage to people’s heritage from around the world.
To further facilitate this, Victoria’s Multicultural Affairs Minister Ros Spence announced $750,000 for 205 community organisations across the state so that they can deliver COVIDSafe multicultural festivals and events from now until the end of June. The state government is also making good on its pledge to the Greek people with $200,000 for events celebrating the bicentenary of Greece’s independence and $50,000 to support various Hindu organisations host events.
Specifically, there will be 23 community organisations to share in the funds allocated for Greek festivities to commemorate an important Greek national milestone.