THE MESSAGE. BRINGING INTO FOCUS FILIPINO PRESENCE IN AUSTRALIA
www.kalatas.com.au | Volume 6 Number 4 | JANUARY 2016
Big day for student
She was a curious little girl when
her family migrated to Australia eight
years ago. Now the young high
school student will be saying her piece
on Australia Day 2016 at the Sydney
Opera House upon the invitation of no
less than the Governor-General.
Venesse Ann Angeles will certainly
have a memorable Australia Day when
she joins dozens of other students in
the celebration at the Admiralty House
in Kirribilli.
She got her invitation after making
a short speech on what Australia is to
her.
“There were 30 students invited to
write and I was chosen to be one of
the ten, I’m so happy about it,” said
Venesse, a Year 8 student from Rootyy
Hill High School.
Venesse said her speech focused
on multiculturalism and how society
should embrace it. She is the
daughter of Nong and Virgie Angeles.
Part of her speech says:
“My hopes for Australia are that
future generations get to live where
they feel a part of something, feel
accepted and where the burden
of discrimination no longer exists. I
hope to see everyone live with justice
and to be united as one. But, for
this to happen, we need to start fully
embracing Australia’s multiculturalism.
“Many say that being unique is
good, so why are people still suffering
discrimination for being different? We
are not born with the traits to reject
so we need to stop teaching this, but
instead focus on practising
acceptance and tolerance. I want
everyone to have all the opportunities,
I want people to accept our country’s
diversity.”
d veersity.
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WHAT’S ON
03
BLACKTOWN. Blacktown City will celebrate Australia Day, 2016, with many great
events on offer throughout the day. The day will commence with the Wake Up with the Wildlife
Breakfast at Featherdale Wildlife Park. Tickets go on sale from 8.00am on Tuesday 12 January,
so get in early to avoid disappointment. The day’s highlight will be the evening fun at The Rooty
Hill, with the Concert and Fireworks Spectacular. Show features The McClymonts, Jason Owen,
At Sunset, VTribe. There are free amusement rides and much more.
With a new addition to the days entertainment, the Australiana Village opens featuring Sheep
Shearing, Whip Cracking, Sheep dog trials and Wood chopping!
Rooty Hill event on the 26th starts at 4pm. For more information on any of the Australia Day
events in Blacktown , please contact Council's Events Team on 9839 6000.
PARRAMATTA. Head to Parramatta Park on Australia Day. Aerial, from 6am to 11am, is
Sydney's biggest hot air balloon display, and features delicious food and roving entertainment.
The Big BBQ, from 11am to 7.30pm, is the biggest barbecue Parramatta has ever seen!
Barbecue competition hosted by the Australasian Barbecue Alliance, smoked, grilled and basted
delights from the barbecue pitmasters, and a barbecue display. CARnivale, from 11.30am to
5.30pm, has more than 500 vintage cars to delight car lovers and families alike.
Join the Hottest 100 Party countdown, from 12pm to 8pm, with live bands, DJ sets, outdoor
bar, and mini amusement park for adults. The Crescent, a kid's wonderland, from 12pm to 9pm,
features SpongeBob and Dora the Explorer. Then as the sun sets, party as the best in Aussie
rock and pop hit the stage, followed by a massive fireworks and pyrotechnic spectacular.
SYDNEY. The Australia Day celebrations in Sydney are fit for Australia's oldest and biggest
city with events and activities spread far and wide. There's nothing quite like Australia Day on
Sydney Harbour, the city's crowning jewel.
Two free Australia Day concerts for all ages will be staged at the Sydney Opera House
Forecourt on Australia Day.
The Wiggles will perform live from 10.00am-11.00am with Dorothy the Dinosaur, Henry the
Octopus, Wags the Dog and Captain Feathersword while Jessica Mauboy, Justice Crew and
Australia’s best talent, light up the night from 7.30pm-9.30pm.
The iconic Sydney Opera House will once again host some of Australia’s most talented artists
on Australia Day, with two free concerts live on the forecourt, The Wiggles Australia Day Concert
at the Sydney Opera House and Australia Day 2016 - Live at the Sydney Opera House.
Free tickets to both concerts will be available to the public from 3 January 2016!
For more information: www.australiaday.com.au