Page 777 - Week 02 - Thursday, 23 February 2012
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mother, he created the now thriving Fyshwick markets which today feature 33 stallholders and are currently undergoing a multimillion dollar development. Guiseppe was awarded the small business category of the 2009 Ethnic Business Awards. Joe is living proof that the great Australian dream is within the reach of all Australians, regardless of background. I certainly congratulate Joe on his great contribution to Canberra. He is also a very generous benefactor to many charities in Canberra and has been a strong supporter of all things Canberran.
There has been a great contribution also to the ACT by many immigrants from the Netherlands. One of the great examples is Lou Westende, a migrant who became a prominent businessman and was one of the first multicultural members of this Assembly in 1992. Lou’s story is a story of rags to riches, the power of positive thinking and a never say die attitude. It is an inspirational story of an ordinary Canberran, a child of the Depression, a migrant who developed a successful business, Instant Office services, who contributed to our community in many ways, but particularly through Rotary, and ended up in the ACT Legislative Assembly in 1992.
I thank Mrs Dunne for her MPI today. I would like to finish with a quote from the gentleman I have just spoken about, Mr Lou Westende, a migrant, businessman and politician. It is a quote that I think is quite instructive for our Assembly today. The quote is from Lou Westende’s inaugural speech in 1992 when he said, and I quote from the end of his speech:
It is on this important matter of the responsibility of the Assembly in determining the future direction of the ACT that I wish to focus my maiden speech. Oxford Dictionary defines the word “responsible” as liable to be called to account, answerable, capable of rational conduct, and so on. They are strong words. But, clearly, to be responsible is to be strong, and what the ACT needs right now is strength in every direction. It needs strong leadership from government and it needs a firm and strong commitment by every member of the community. We must all build the future together.
They were strong words and the correct words in 1992. They are just as strong and just as instructive for all of us today.
MR HARGREAVES (Brindabella) (3.53): The ACT is incredibly lucky to have a rich and diverse multicultural community that cements our place as a leader in multicultural affairs, a place known for providing real opportunities for people to reach their potential and to fully participate in and share the benefits of our multicultural way of life.
The multicultural community of the ACT has, as other speakers no doubt have said, come from over 200 different countries. Approximately 22 per cent of our population is born outside of Australia. Fourteen per cent speak a language other than English, and over 170 languages are spoken in the ACT.
The ACT government plays a major role in supporting, both financially and ethically, our multicultural community, building a resilient multicultural network that assists those most in need to participate in the economic, social and cultural life of our city.
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