Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Sydney

Korean festival 2018 Eastwood
Speech by Consul General Sangsoo Yoon
 (Saturday 27 October 2018, 10.00am, Eastwood Park)

Good Morning.

I am very much pleased to attend the opening ceremony of the Korean festival for 2018, organised by the Korean Society here at Eastwood Park.
Today is the date we celebrate Korean history, culture and heritage among Korean Australians living here in Sydney and extend our cultural contribution to Australia’s multi-cultural society.

I would like begin by acknowledging our special guests who have joined us for this festival.

Firstly the federal and NSW parliamentarians who attend each and every Korean community event to the extent possible and are very close friends and supporters of the Korean community

- The Hon Victor Dominello, MP, Member for Ryde, Minister for Finance, Services and Property
- The Hon Ray Williams, MP, Member for Castle Hill Minister for Multiculturalism, and Minister for Disability Services
- The Hon John Alexander OAM, Federal MP, Member for Bennelong
- The Hon Jody McKay, MP, Member for Strathfield, Shadow Minister for Transport

Thank to all the distinguished leaders of the Korean community and representatives of the Korean community groups.

This year is the 50th anniversary of the Korean Society of Sydney, which was established in 1968 and during that time it has been an incredible asset in the development of the Korean community here in Sydney.

The Korean festival, which is held every year with such amazing success, continues that tradition today and is now one of the well-recognised cultural events in Sydney.

I hope that the Korean Society of Sydney can continue to maintain this annual cultural event it has organised for the past 50 years and continue to be successful for the next 50 years to come.

Australia is a proud multicultural country with 49% of Australians having either at least one parent from another country or are themselves born overseas.

The Korean community in NSW has almost reached 100,000 people and it continues to be one of the most exemplary communities in Australia, a community which is law-biding, entrepreneurial and in harmony with multi-cultural Australia.

Today’s Festival is symbolic of the growth of the Korean community and a way to show pride in not just Korean heritage and culture, but also the incredible accomplishments that have been made by Korean Australians who call Sydney home.

I sincerely hope that today’s festival will be yet another success, one that will show how much Korean culture has to offer Australian society.

I would also, again, like to show my sincere appreciation for President 유병수and all the executive members of the Korean Society of Sydney as well as the sponsors and volunteers who have made this wonderful event possible.

Thank you all for your efforts and I wish you every success. /End/