Page 3388 - Week 09 - Thursday, 22 August 2019
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Members will be aware that BAPS is oriented to strengthening individuals, families and communities. As part of this BAPS has been an engaged contributor, fostering harmonious multicultural and interfaith relations. I would like to show gratitude to members of the BAPS congregation in Canberra for the wonderful achievements they have accomplished in our local community. For example, in March this year, BAPS took part in the first interfaith forum at the Royal Canberra Show, honouring the work of our local farmers.
I am particularly delighted with the dedicated work BAPS has done in my own electorate of Yerrabi. In July BAPS Canberra organised a walkathon with the theme of “building a better community, one step at a time”. More than 95 people, aged between two and 75 years, participated in the walk. This event raised $7,800 to support the Canberra Hospital Foundation.
This foundation supports the Canberra Hospital and Health Services to achieve its vision of providing a caring, world-class health and healing service for patients. I was privileged enough to attend this wonderful event with Ms Judy Ford, the donor program manager of the Canberra Hospital Foundation, and other dedicated members of BAPS. Despite being a rough, cold and windy day, all of the participants came together to demonstrate a true spirit of community and a desire to give back. Having experienced the positivity and community engagement provided by this event, I hope that it will become a regular event for the Gungahlin community.
BAPS Canberra regularly promotes open and engaging discussions of faith. Just last week I had the honour of speaking at an evening of spiritual discourse at the Australian National University. This event was led by Sadhu Bhadreshdas, one of the most learned swami of BAPS and an outstanding scholar in Sanskrit. I would like to acknowledge the contribution he has made to Hindu philosophy. (Extension of time granted.)
In conclusion, for many years now I have attended and enjoyed BAPS events. They have always been large, colourful and joyful occasions, and my family and I have always been warmly welcomed. The BAPS members are known for their discipline, dedication, hard work, commitment to a productive life and their spirit of volunteerism and selfless service.
I would particularly like to acknowledge and thank those from the BAPS community who have joined us today. I also wish to extend my gratitude to His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj for his selfless service and leadership of BAPS. I am proud of the work that BAPS have done in our community and look forward to working with them in the future to ensure that these brilliant contributions continue in the Canberra community.
Wear it Purple Day
Organ donation
MS CHEYNE (Ginninderra) (4.09): On Friday, 30 August, I am urging Canberrans to “clash their fashion” for two very important reasons. Wear it Purple Day is a day of
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