Page 328 - Week 01 - Thursday, 11 February 2010
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134,000-plus. I will confirm that, as I have said, but to get that turnout over a three-day event is marvellous, particularly when we looked out the window on the Friday afternoon and everyone was told that there was a thunderstorm warning, “Go home, batten down your hatches.”
I am just so pleased to say that Canberra did go home and batten down the hatches, but a good lot of Canberra folk also came out to see the spectacular that we had on Friday night. It started off as a sea of umbrellas, but the rain stopped and people enjoyed themselves well into the night. People were milling around the Civic Centre from 9 o’clock in the morning. When I left at 11 o’clock that night, the city was still full of people eating, enjoying performances and celebrating the multicultural community that we have here.
All Mr Doszpot can do is nitpick about what I have said are indicative figures. If that is all you have got to say about the festival, well, shame on you. You should celebrate the success.
MR SPEAKER: Ms Porter, a supplementary question?
MS PORTER: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Minister, can you inform the Assembly about some of the entries received for the children’s competition that was run as part of the festival?
MS BURCH: Thank you, Ms Porter. Indeed, this is the first year that we did have a children’s competition. The children were delighted with the opportunity to be able to participate. It provided an opportunity for children under 12 years of age to win a fantastic movie party at Dendy Cinemas. The competition involved writing in 30 words or less why the Multicultural Festival is an enjoyable event. It was promoted to all primary schools in the ACT and through the Chronicle. A flyer was also distributed.
The first prize is a party for winners and 10 friends at the VIP room at Dendy, which is a great prize. Parents know that parties are often a wonderful thing. A party at the cinema is a good thing. The runner-up prizes include 20 cricket sets signed by the face of the festival and member of the Australian women’s cricket team, Ms Lisa Sthalekar.
There were many entries received. I have just asked the office to provide some of the quotes from them. We must remember that these are from children under 12, and they are indeed delightful. We will assess them and the winners will be announced next week. I will quote some of the entries:
Spring rolls kebabs short soup pizza
All the things I like to eat
Round the world by going around town
The Multicultural Festival’s my favourite treat.
The Multicultural Festival day is for everybody in everyway
With greens, pinks, purple and blues
Widen your taste and widen your views
So all can be happy and no one lose.
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