Photo Report: Falun Dafa Week, Noosa Shire, Queensland, Australia

In conjunction with Noosa Shire's Centenary of Federation events, honouring 100 years of Australia's nationhood, practitioners celebrated the commencement of the first Australian "Falun Dafa Week" (Dec 16-22, 2001). This day was chosen to begin Falun Dafa Week because thousands of people were expected to attend this event, including many state and local politicians. We had already been invited to participate in the "Centenary of Federation" parade, which included dozens of floats and marching bands. Four practitioners demonstrated the exercises in traditional Chinese attire, along with eight children sitting in lotus position while meditating on the platform of our beautifully presented float, colourfully decorated with lotus flowers, pinwheels, balloons, and banners. Our float was followed by over 100 practitioners representing Queensland and northern New South Wales. The crowds were very appreciative and often waved and clapped as we passed by.

The weather forecast was for thunderstorms that day and rain for the remainder of the week. Recognising this as the old forces trying to disrupt this important Dafa occasion, we kept sending out righteous thoughts. Early that morning, it rained quite heavily and began to lessen as we decorated the float. By the time of the parade, there was only a fine mist which completely stopped after the parade began. The remainder of the day and for the rest of the week the weather was very pleasant, without one day of rain. The evil forces were once again subdued by practitioners' righteous thoughts and the mighty power of the Fa.

After the parade, we presented the exercises and Falun Dafa information at our Falun Dafa stall and displayed a lovely banner which read "Falun Dafa Week Celebration, Noosa Shire". Mr Bob Abbot, Mayor of Noosa Shire, warmly responded to our invitation and spent over an hour at our stall, mingling and sharing with practitioners, including his aunt who is a practitioner from the Gold Coast. During these conversations, Mr Abbot told us how he believes in our principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance and that he does his best to act according to these principles as a politician, rather than just doing what is politically expedient. At 2:00 pm, Mr Abbott officially opened "Falun Dafa Week" with a few formal words of support and his expression of gratitude. Additionally, he signed his signature of acknowledgement on our Falun Dafa Week Proclamation. Towards the end of the day, Queensland Premier Peter Beattie also stopped by to offer some words of support.

Throughout Falun Dafa week, we held six daily exercise sites and two candlelight memorials. These drew a lot of attention and interest from the community. Additionally, practitioners handed out thousands of SOS flyers and did letter box drops to clarify the truth about Falun Gong and the horrific persecution of practitioners in China to the people of Noosa Shire. On the last day, we invited the local community to a free sausage sizzle where we presented the Falun Dafa exercises, and held a free instruction class for those wanting to learn. In addition to an information table and picture displays of Falun Dafa, we offered free balloons, face painting and bubble blowing for the children. It was a great delight to witness the unfolding of Fa Rectification in the Noosa Community through this first Falun Dafa Week in Australia.

Colorful Falun Dafa Float: Children meditating in lotus position while four practitioners demonstrate the first four movements of the Falun Gong exercises.	Young practitioner sending forth righteous thoughts	A large Zhuan Falun Book model for everyone to see
Noosa Shire Mayor Bob Abbot speaks to the crowd expressing his support at the opening of the first Australian Falun Dafa Week.	Mayor Bob Abbot signing the Proclamation for Noosa Shire Falun Dafa Week	Practitioners demonstrating exercises at the stall
Noosa Shire Mayor Bob Abbott with Falun Gong practitioners