Acting Australian High Commissioner Penny Morton has thanked the 'offers of support' from the government of Bangladesh and 'many Bangladeshi friends' around the world in response to the unprecedented bushfire season in Australia. “Australia is no stranger to bushfire...the communities that have been affected are resilient and will bounce back, as they have before,” she said, at a reception at the chancery.
She hosted the reception on January 27 night to celebrate Australia Day. Guests included Bangladesh Members of Parliament, defence, police and government officials, business and media representatives. Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni was the chief guest. The reception celebrated the diversity of Australia’s people and cultures, including Australia’s indigenous people, one of the oldest continuous cultures in the world.
As a multicultural country, Australia is built on diversity, inclusion and tolerance – these are values that Australia hold dear, the acting High Commissioner said. A group of transwomen from the Bandhu Social Welfare Society performed the national anthems of Australia and Bangladesh at the invitation of the High Commission.
The group performs in various cultural programs at home and abroad to raise awareness and advocate for reducing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.