Page 327 - Week 01 - Thursday, 11 February 2010
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MS BURCH: Thank you, Mr Hargreaves, for the question—other than the last part. It is too tight to decide between solo performances and Bollywood dancing. The reaction from stallholders and community groups that participated in the festival last weekend has been extremely positive. An example of written comments received so far from stallholders and community groups include, from a cultural performance group:
Thank you very much for giving us such a great performance time-slot. When we started to perform there was a big crowd already, but once our show got in full swing the people kept coming, lured to the sound of our wonderful drummers and other musicians growing into an unending sea of people.
From the Flamenco Centre of Canberra:
We had a great time despite the rain and felt the festival was an enormous success. Our information stall triggered a lot of interest, as did our performances, and we are grateful that you gave us the opportunity to participate …
From a folk society:
I would like to say a big thank you to all who organised the multicultural festival, it was fabulous.
We had a number of young folks come along and all had a fabulous time.
From a Mediterranean group: “We had a busy day serving food all day.” They went on to say:
The event was huge. The entertainment was awesome, the variety of stalls was amazing.
I think we will consider a larger stall for next year … can I also get in early and request the same position for next year?
I am advised that many more positive comments about the event have been received in writing as well as verbally. The Office of Multicultural Affairs has already written to all the retailers in the central business area of the city seeking their views about the impact of the festival and we will be convening a panel of representatives shortly to discuss the 2011 festival. We are keen to ensure that feedback from stallholders, community groups, diplomatic missions and retailers is taken into account for our planning for next year.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Doszpot, a supplementary question?
MR DOSZPOT: Minister, what was the attendance report that you were recently reported in the media as stating? What was the attendance at the Multicultural Festival that you were just talking about? Was it a record?
MS BURCH: Certainly the feedback I have got from event organisers, stallholders, volunteers and other people that provide estimates is a figure of 130,000 to
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