(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners celebrated the 23rd World Falun Dafa day, with people from all walks of life, at Box Hill Shopping Center on May 22, 2022. The shopping center is located in a neighborhood where many Chinese people live.

Ms. Tina Liu, Mayor of the City of Whitehorse sent a congratulatory message, and Denise Massoud, the deputy mayor and several councilors attended the celebrations.

Falun Gong practitioners celebrated the 23^rd World Falun Dafa day on May 22, 2022 at Box Hill Shopping center.

Local residents watched as practitioners celebrated the 23rd World Falun Dafa day by playing music, and presented dance performances at the Box Hill Shopping center.

Over 20% of the residents in Whitehorse city are Chinese. It is the largest, most well known Chinese neighborhood in the greater Melbourne area and even Victoria. Practitioners demonstrated the beauty of Dafa by doing its exercises, playing its music, and presenting dance performances. They attracted many local residents.

The compere [Master of Ceremonies] also read over a microphone congratulatory messages received from various government officials in Victoria.

Whitehorse Mayor: Compassion, Truthfulness, Tolerance are Values That are Even More Important

Congratulatory letter from Tina Liu, Mayor of Whitehorse.

Denise Massoud, Deputy Mayor of Whitehorse spoke at the celebratory activities and read the message from the Mayor.

Ms. Tina Liu, Mayor of the city of Whitehorse wrote a congratulatory message, which was read by Ms. Denise Massoud, the deputy mayor, at the event.

Tina Liu wrote: “I extend my congratulations to Falun Dafa Association of Australia and all Falun Dafa practitioners on the 2022 World Falun Dafa Day celebrations and the 30th year anniversary of Falun Dafa’s introduction to the public. We also wish to mention the Association’s contributions to the community.

“The founding principles compassion, truthfulness and tolerance are values that are even more important, as we navigate life and the world post-pandemic.”

“I hope you enjoy the festivities marking this milestone – all the best for the event.”

Denise Massoud, the Deputy Mayor said: “Evidently, today’s event is promoting precious values – Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance. These are important for everyone.”

She also said that she appreciated the multi-cultural aspects that make up the community and Falun Dafa is a precious part of this. She loved the performances shown by practitioners that day.

Whitehorse City Councilor: Falun Dafa Brings People Peace and HealthAndrew Munroe, councilor of Whitehorse spoke at the event.

Andrew Munroe, councilor of Whitehorse said that he was delighted to attend the festivities celebrating World Falun Dafa.

Munroe made a comparison between Australia and China in light of the recent federal elections in his speech. He thought the two major parties in Australia “completed a peaceful transition of power” but in China, there was never a transition of power. The Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners highlighted its totalitarian nature.

He thought that practitioners were remarkable, given the courage shown in advocating for justice worldwide, “Falun Dafa brings peace and health to people, cultivators benefit from the practice.”

Munroe concluded his speech by congratulating Falun Dafa and hopes he will be invited to attend the celebrations next year.

Whitehorse city councilor Blair Barker spoke at the event.

Blair Baker, a councilor of Whitehorse said he felt honored to attend the celebrations.

He said: “The world needs Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance, not hatred. We need to tolerate one another, I know this is your remarkable faith – the principles of Falun Dafa – and I thank you for this.”