Australian Anglo-Indian Association of Canberra
Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Unlike many other cities in Australia, Canberra enjoys four distinct seasons. Typically, from the end of April onwards, the weather first cools down and then turns downright cold. This was definitely the case the evening of 19 May, with the temperature dropping into the single digits by 6 o’clock that evening.
In stark contrast to the bitter weather outside was the warm and happy atmosphere inside Queanbeyan’s Bicentennial Hall, venue for the Grand Anglo-Indian Ball held in honour of the silver anniversary of the Australian Anglo-Indian Association of Canberra. I wish to express gratitude to this association for all they do to serve the needs of their members in the ACT and surrounding region – and for the kind invitation to join them at this event, which was also attended by the party leader of the Canberra Liberals, Alistair Coe.
I had a fantastic time! Dinner was a sumptuous Indian-influenced buffet, filled with exotic and warming delights. Music was provided by two Anglo-Indian bands, New Renditions and JJ Blue Frost. The music made it easy for many of the more than 200 guests who attended that night to dance the night away and provided the rest a happy accompaniment to all the talking and laughter that filled the hall.
Many of Canberra’s thriving community organisations have forged strong connections with other community organisations and with peak bodies, and this is certainly true for the Australian Anglo-Indian Association of Canberra. Office holders of the Canberra Multicultural Community Forum and leaders from a number of other ethnic associations were also in attendance at this thoroughly enjoyable event.
Madam Speaker, I wish to express my thanks to Joe Bailey, the president of the association, and to all the other men and women who serve alongside him. I hope that the next 25 years will bring nothing but success to Canberra’s Anglo-Indian community and to all those whom they support and serve.
Thank you.
