Forming new friendships at Townsville’s Multi-Faith Dinner
On Thursday August 24, the Queensland Police Service led by Commissioner Ian Stewart hosted the inaugural Townsville Multi-Faith Dinner at the North Queensland Club. Fifty-three faith and community leaders together with members of the QPS enjoyed a collaborative event where new friendships and partnerships within the community were formed.
Mr Brenton Creed of the Wulgurukaba people opened the night with the Welcome to Country. QPS Chaplain, Reverend Horst Sauer delivered the opening prayer which was followed by Commissioner Ian Stewart speaking on the importance of the police forming strong partnerships with people of all cultures in our communities.
Doctor Farvardin Daliri delivered a presentation to the audience on the 2017 Townsville Multicultural Festival. Keynote speaker, Townsville Multicultural Support Group’s Meg Davis spoke on the importance of connections, both global and local, and the Townsville experience in relation to refugee re-settlement.
During dinner the guests were treated to traditional singing and dancing from 16 members of the Saint Pats The Strand Torres Strait Island Dance Troupe. They were all personally acknowledged with certificates of appreciation by Townsville District Officer, Chief Superintendent Kevin Guteridge following their performance. Chief Superintendent Guteridge then offered a vote of thanks to everyone who made the event possible. The dinner concluded with a closing prayer by Dr. Usman Malabu of the Townsville Islamic Society who recited the prayer in Arabic whilst stopping to explain the prayer in English to the audience during his delivery.
Source: Townsville Crime Alert
