Hansard debates

Ms SHEED: Earlier this month I attended the fourth annual A Taste of African Cultures festival at St Paul’s African House in Shepparton. The event attracted hundreds of attendees from across our great state, many of whom boast diverse African heritage. From a distance, Australian commentators often throw around the label 'African’ with little knowledge that the vast continent contains 54 distinct countries and many more ethnicities and cultures. Sitting on my knee was my two-year-old grandchild, who was frozen in awe by the infectious drumming rhythms resonating through St Paul’s. Many other attendees were not frozen—they swarmed the stage to dance. It was a delightful day, and I commend the organisers for putting on an event celebrated by many cultures and all ages.