Republic of Türkiye Centenary and Roxburgh Park United Soccer Club
31 October, 2023
Iwan WALTERS (Greenvale) (13:36): I am sure the house joins me in wishing Victoria’s strong and proud Turkish community a very happy republic day. This week marks the centenary of the founding of the Republic of Türkiye under its first president and father of the nation, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. I am delighted that the Victorian government is supporting many special community events this week, with an investment of $200,000 to celebrate this auspicious milestone and the strong relationship shared between Türkiye and Victoria. It is a relationship that has been sustained by the generosity of the Turkish people following the carnage at Gallipoli and Çanakkale in 1915. It is a relationship that has been underpinned by the migration of many Turkish people to Australia, a large proportion of whom have settled in Melbourne’s northern suburbs and my electorate of Greenvale.
As co-convenor of the Parliamentary Friends of Türkiye, it has been a pleasure working with Consul General Doğan F Işık and his team at the Melbourne consulate to advance relations between Victoria and Türkiye. I am proud that my electorate of Greenvale has the largest Turkish Australian population of any district represented in this house, and I am deeply grateful for the contributions of so, so many. Cumhuriyet Bayraminiz Kutlu Olsun.
Congratulations to all players, coaches, volunteers and generous sponsors of Roxburgh Park United Soccer Club. It was wonderful to be with the club community last Friday to celebrate another successful season. I want to particularly acknowledge the outstanding service and leadership of Ayad and Dunia Botres, who work tirelessly to provide opportunities for young people at Roxy United. This was deservedly recognised with Hume City Council’s 2023 sport and recreation community achievement award at a special ceremony I was delighted to attend last week.