By UPF Australia
Family Fun Day 2024 was held on 26th May at the Auburn Youth Centre, jointly sponsored by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Australia and Iraqi Renaissance Inc. for the second consecutive year. Over 230 people from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds attended this wonderful event. The Masters of Ceremonies were Mr. Marcus Zimmerman and Mrs. Ahjeong Yoo, a Youth Awardee couple in 2023.
Welcome Remarks were given by Mr. Ghassan Alassadi, President of Iraqi Renaissance. Then UPF Australia President, Mr. John Adamedes gave an insightful presentation on the theme, “Family is the School of Love and Peace”. This included a brief introduction to the founders of UPF, Rev. Sun Myung Moon and his wife, Dr. Hak Ha Han Moon, as well as sharing about the worldwide Ambassadors for Peace network and the principles of UPF.
This was followed by a delightful drum and dance performance by the Morris family from Uganda, who also performed a congratulatory dance at the end.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards by VIP guests to six couples who have been happily married for 40 years or more (for one couple, 55 years), and each was invited to share a few words. Some chose to have photos of their award presentation with family or friends close to them who were in attendance.
Congratulatory remarks were given by Hon. Lynda Voltz (Member of Parliament for Auburn), Mr. Yutaka Yamada (Chair, UPF Oceania), Emeritus Mayor Le Lam, Duty Officer, Inspector Mark Wakeman (Auburn Police), Councilor Sabrin Farooqui (Cumberland City Council) and Councilor Benjamin Cai (Strathfield Council). A Letter of Appreciation was presented to the Auburn Police by Soon Teck Lim, President of the Chinese People’s Federation for World Peace
The proceedings concluded with a vibrant and colorful range of choir, dance, and fashion performances from the Nepali, Korean, and Chinese cultures, and the “World Peace Band”. Attendees were also treated to some delicious food.
This was a very successful event on a nice sunny day, with a pervasive spirit of peace and goodwill, highlighting again that there can indeed be harmony in diversity as we aspire to be one happy extended world family. The program concluded with a Vote of thanks from Mr. Santosh Neupane, the Program Coordinator of UPF NSW, Australia.
