Federal Member for Greenway and Shadow Minister for Communcationsn Ms Michelle Rowland highlighted at the Federation Chamber in Canberra the tein celebratio by the Filipino community in Western Sydney of the Philippine Independence Day on 12 June and the 75th Anniversary of Philippine Australia Diplomatic Relations.
Earlier Ms Rowland was a guest at the celebration of the 500 years of Philippine Christianity in an event at Imaculate Parish in Quakers Hill, NSW.
Her speech in Canberra, follows:
“Yesterday, I had the great pleasure of joining the congregation of Mary
Immaculate Parish in Quakers Hill to commemorate two very important
milestones in Filipino history.
The first was celebrating 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The
Philippines is now the fifth-largest Christian majority country in the world.
Pope Francis recognised 16 March 1521 as the day on which Christianity
was introduced to the Philippines – the day that Magellan had a mass said.
The other important milestone being celebrated this year is 75 years of
Filipino-Australian diplomatic relations. The Philippines, as a close
neighbour, is so important to Australia. The Philippines is also so important
to Blacktown City.
In fact, the statistic that is often quoted is that 75 per cent of all Filipinos in
Australia live in Blacktown City. It has become a very popular place for
people of Filipino heritage to settle. They’re so welcome and they
contribute so much.
I want to thank all the organisers and the priests involved, including Father
Reggie and Father Oliver. Thank you so much for your hospitality, your
lunch, your cultural program and your fellowship. Unfortunately, we couldn’t
do it last year, but it was great to be back this year.
Mabuhay!”
MONDAY, 21