Australia: Queensland Legislator Praises Falun Dafa’s Contribution to the Community During Falun Dafa Day Celebration

(Minghui.org) Practitioners held a World Falun Dafa Day celebration at Trinity Beach Community Hall on May 18, 2025. A member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly sent a letter to commend their dedication to a peaceful life, community harmony, and personal growth.

Falun Dafa practitioners wish Master Li happy birthday.

May 13, 2025 was the 26^th World Falun Dafa Day and the 33^rd anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction. This day is also the birthday of Master Li, the founder of the spiritual practice. Practitioners of Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) from Cairns, Queensland held a celebration to mark the occasion, express their gratitude to Master Li and wish him a happy birthday.

Practitioners tell people about Falun Dafa.

The free, two-and-a-half-hour event introduced Falun Dafa and how it is spread around the world, and practitioners taught people the exercises. The event drew residents from the surrounding beach communities.

A practitioner reads the letter sent by Bree James, member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland for Barron River.

Bree James, member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland for Barron River, and her letter

The letter reads, “World Falun Dafa Day is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate a practice that has positively impacted millions of people around the globe. Since its introduction to the public in May 1992, Falun Dafa-also known as Falun Gong-has offered a path of self-cultivation grounded in the universal principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance.

“In Queensland and across the world, the contributions of Falun Dafa practitioners to their communities are worthy of recognition. Their dedication to peaceful living, community harmony, and personal growth enriches the social and cultural fabric of our society.”

People Learn the Exercises

Local residents learn the Falun Dafa exercises.

People of different ages participated in learning Falun Gong following the practitioners’ demonstration of the exercises. Because the exercises are gradual and gentle, they are easy learn. Some people felt the benefits to varying degrees. One woman learner, Dianne Williamson, shared her feelings and experience after learning the exercises.

Dianne Williamson

Ms. Williamson travels frequently and meditates every day. She said, “I was in so much pain that I was bedridden for many days. Before today, I had no expectations and thought I couldn’t come. But when I joined the practice, my first feeling was a warm welcome, like coming home - a feeling of enlightenment! The feeling was very profound, a connection, and I felt not only welcome but also supported. I’ve never experienced such a strong and instant release when I was so powerless. I felt that it was not only an emotional and physical release; it was more like everything fell into place.

“The meditation here is different. The movements are gentle and the effect is significant, but the physical benefits are more direct than what I have experienced in other meditations and practices,” she said.

A Series of Coincidences

Anna Osthaug took a photo with a practitioner.

Anna Osthaug, a Swedish-born midwife who currently lives in Gordonvale, attended the event after receiving an invitation. She explained that a series of coincidences over the course of two decades led her there.

Jessica, who practices Falun Dafa, and Anna met as teenagers on the Sunshine Coast. After visiting Anna in Sweden, the two friends lost touch. Twenty years later, they met in a bookstore in Cairns, and Jessica told Anna about Falun Dafa.

Time passed, and on a stressful day, while walking along the seaside promenade and re-examining her life choices, Anna noticed a group of people meditating. She picked up a flyer and saw the words “Falun Dafa,” which reminded her of when she studied in a small town called Falun in Sweden. Because of all these coincidences Anna felt she should accept the invitation to the World Falun Dafa Day event to learn more. After participating in the exercise demonstration and learning about Falun Dafa, Anna said she was happy.

At the end of the day, all the participants said they benefited from learning the Falun Dafa exercises and celebrating World Falun Dafa Day. Little Sophie turned to her mother and said, “This is the best day of my life. I hope to come again next week.”