(Minghui.org) Practitioners in southeast Melbourne held a Mid-Autumn Festival celebration at Dandenong Square on September 15, 2024. They introduced Falun Dafa to the community and were welcomed by politicians and the public.
Richard Lim OAM, Deputy Mayor of Greater Dandenong City and recipient of the Order of Australia gave a speech as a guest. He said the Falun Dafa group is an amazing organization and the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance resonated with him.
It was the weekend, and the square was crowded with people. Under the bright sunshine, the colors, soothing music, and performances drew people to stop and watch.
Richard Lim OAM, Deputy Mayor of Greater Dandenong City, gave a speech during the Mid-Autumn Festival celebration at Dandenong Square on September 15, 2024.
Practitioners gave performances to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.
On the same day, in the Queen Victoria Gardens in the center of Melbourne practitioners celebrated the second anniversary of the establishment of the group practice site and the 2024 Mid-Autumn Festival. Cr Blair Barker, a councilor for the Whitehorse City, addressed the event.
Practitioners held a Mid-Autumn Festival celebration in the Queen Victoria Gardens on September 15, 2024.
Deputy Mayor: Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Is Most Important
Richard Lim OAM, Deputy Mayor of Greater Dandenong City, said, “I would like to thank the organizers. Thank you to the president of this organization, the volunteers, and all the committee members for making this event happen today, because it’s a very special day for Chinese people.”
Deputy Mayor Richard Lim OAM of Greater Dandenong City thanked practitioners for their contribution to the community.
Deputy Mayor Richard Lim OAM posts the video and photos of the event on his social media.
He said Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is most important to society. “Since I came to Australia in 1980, I have tried to practice compassion. It keeps my mind on morality, honesty, and caring. It gives me a chance to be a bit better. How we go about our lives, and make our society live long and happy and healthy lives is due to compassion and kindness.”
He expressed his admiration for practitioners and thanked them for their contribution to the community, “All of you are kind. Volunteering demonstrates your commitment and passion. You never regret whatever you do to help others.
“I looked into Falun Dafa online and found that it’s an amazing organization. Because Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are close to my heart. I’m proud of you.” He said we should vigorously advocate these ideas. Modern society must return to tradition, rather than letting modern technological products and mobile phone screens control our lives.
He explained that he immigrated to Australia in 1980 after escaping the Pol Pot regime in Cambodia. He is a board member of several Australian charities and has won multiple national awards. He said he deeply felt that all countries have the responsibility to stop the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution of Falun Dafa and the CCP’s forced organ harvesting from living people. He also called on the CCP to stop the persecution.
Residents Commend Practitioners’ Efforts
Local residents Joan and Marie were shopping and said they were attracted by practitioners’ performances. Marie said, “We were going to the market and noticed the performance. We thought it was so beautiful, so we decided to come out and take a look.”
Joan (right) and Marie commend practitioners’ performances.
They praised the practitioners’ performances, especially those given by the children. Joan said, “I’m very happy to see the children having so much fun and that this traditional culture is being continued.”
Both ladies said they often saw practitioners distributing flyers and telling people about the persecution in Melbourne’s city center. Joan said, “This is a good thing. It makes people aware of what’s happening [in China].” They both said the values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance can benefit the public.
Celebration in the Center of Melbourne
Practitioners celebrated the second anniversary of the establishment of the Falun Dafa practice site at Queen Victoria Gardens Practice Site and the Mid-Autumn Festival. For the past two years, every Sunday morning, Falun Dafa practitioners of all races and ages have practiced the five sets of exercises in the gardens.
Cr Blair Barker, Whitehorse City councilor, addressed the celebration.
The day happened to be the last Sunday before the Mid-Autumn Festival. Falun Dafa practitioners talked with community residents during the celebration and thanked them for their support and encouragement over the past two years.
Cr Blair Barker, a City of Whitehorse councilor, attended the celebration and gave a speech. He expressed his admiration and support for the peace and goodness that Falun Dafa has brought to the community and society.
“I understand the importance of religious freedom and freedom of belief in this great city,” Barker said in his speech. “Thank you [Falun Dafa practitioners] for everything you have done for our beautiful city. Thank you for your contributions. I am happy to join you in this celebration.”
Those participating in the event that day also included residents who got the news at various Falun Dafa information sites, netizens who saw the news on social media and wanted to learn about Falun Dafa and tourists who were drawn to the event.
People were treated to mooncakes and other delicacies during the celebration. The organizers gave guests a Mid-Autumn Festival gift package so they could take the information about Falun Dafa home and share it with their relatives and friends.
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