The Redlands Multicultural Group has celebrated 20 years of community, diversity and togetherness at an intimate anniversary celebration in Alexandra Hills.
Members travelled up to an hour to the TAFE Queensland College to celebrate with friends and watch a slideshow presentation of how the group has grown since 2004.
Group founder, Shahin Masters welcomed the members and special guest, Councillor Paul Bishop, acknowledging the many milestone celebrations.
“The aim of our multicultural group is really love,” Ms Masters said.
“We just need each other… we juts need to be with each other in this world.”
“With everything that we see on the news, it is important for us to have one another.”
In her welcome speech, Ms Masters likened the Redlands Multicultural Group to a field of sunflowers, referencing that when the sun goes down, the sunflowers look to each other for light and energy.
Over the years, Ms Masters said the group has welcomed people from all backgrounds, who call the Redlands and surrounding area home.
In her slideshow presentation, Ms Masters showed photos from most of the anniversary celebrations, recognising members who were not present at the 20-year milestone due to illness or distance and paying respects to those who had passed away.
Member Kirsten Lisher was a featured performer, and brought her viola to perform for the celebration, including pieces of Johann Sebastian Bach and a French composer named Jean-Paul-Egide Martini.
As part of the celebrations, Ms Masters mentioned favourite memories she had of the organisation including a belly dancer and class which resulted int the group’s permanent migration away from the library to the Institute’s D Block.
“We have had many guests over the years, including artists and writers,” she said.
She also referenced a quote from Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’I faith, who said, “the Earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens”.
Cr Paul Bishop was invited to speak before the cutting of the cake and said he was very thankful to being invited back for the third time to celebrate the group’s birthday.
“The 20-year anniversary of meeting, in this country is so important,” he said.
Cr Bishop commented on the extended history of the land, stretching for 250 years since Matthew Flinders first chartered Moreton Bay and older to the First Nations people.
He said the land and the Redlands history is rich with stories and connections and it is very important to take the time to celebrate it and honour it.
“We must remember our history, and how diverse it is, here in our home in the Redlands,” he said.
Gathered guests sang happy birthday to the Redlands Multicultural Group and shared cake, toasting to many more years of togetherness.
The Redlands Multicultural Group has celebrated 20 years of community, diversity and togetherness at an intimate anniversary celebration in Alexandra Hills.
Members travelled up to an hour to the TAFE Queensland College to celebrate with friends and watch a slideshow presentation of how the group has grown since 2004.
Group founder, Shahin Masters welcomed the members and special guest, Councillor Paul Bishop, acknowledging the many milestone celebrations.
“The aim of our multicultural group is really love,” Ms Masters said.
“We just need each other… we juts need to be with each other in this world.”
“With everything that we see on the news, it is important for us to have one another.”
In her welcome speech, Ms Masters likened the Redlands Multicultural Group to a field of sunflowers, referencing that when the sun goes down, the sunflowers look to each other for light and energy.
Over the years, Ms Masters said the group has welcomed people from all backgrounds, who call the Redlands and surrounding area home.
In her slideshow presentation, Ms Masters showed photos from most of the anniversary celebrations, recognising members who were not present at the 20-year milestone due to illness or distance and paying respects to those who had passed away.
Member Kirsten Lisher was a featured performer, and brought her viola to perform for the celebration, including pieces of Johann Sebastian Bach and a French composer named Jean-Paul-Egide Martini.
As part of the celebrations, Ms Masters mentioned favourite memories she had of the organisation including a belly dancer and class which resulted int the group’s permanent migration away from the library to the Institute’s D Block.
“We have had many guests over the years, including artists and writers,” she said.
She also referenced a quote from Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’I faith, who said, “the Earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens”.
Cr Paul Bishop was invited to speak before the cutting of the cake and said he was very thankful to being invited back for the third time to celebrate the group’s birthday.
“The 20-year anniversary of meeting, in this country is so important,” he said.
Cr Bishop commented on the extended history of the land, stretching for 250 years since Matthew Flinders first chartered Moreton Bay and older to the First Nations people.
He said the land and the Redlands history is rich with stories and connections and it is very important to take the time to celebrate it and honour it.
“We must remember our history, and how diverse it is, here in our home in the Redlands,” he said.
Gathered guests sang happy birthday to the Redlands Multicultural Group and shared cake, toasting to many more years of togetherness.
