On another matter, I would like to acknowledge a couple of multicultural events I attended over recent weeks. Earlier in January I had the pleasure of attending Makara Sankranti celebrations run by Vishva Hindu Parishad of Australia. It was a delightful event, celebrating and strengthening connection with the Hindu community, marked with cultural and culinary displays. I thank the entire Vishva Hindu Parishad community, especially Victorian president Geeta Devi, for their hospitality and congratulate them on a successful event.
I would also like to note 26 January was Indian Republic Day, and it was an honour to join Hindi Niketan and their president Dr Reena Dubey at their celebrations. The Glen Waverley electorate, from Vermont to Forest Hill all the way to Wheelers Hill and everywhere in between, is home to a vibrant Indian diaspora. It was terrific to join Hindi Niketan, the Consul General of India to Melbourne Dr Sushil Kumar and you, Deputy Speaker, to celebrate all things India, including our shared values of community, democracy, fairness and justice. I also came third in the over-25s running race, which was great.