Last Sunday, 14 August marked Pakistan’s 75th diamond jubilee Independence Day. Four of our Secondary student leaders participated in a Public Speech Competition on this special occasion, held at the Pakistan Consulate General here in Melbourne.
The celebration ceremony was opened with a beautiful Qur'an recital by our Year 4 Hifz student Muhammad Khizar Nauman.
The event was graced by the presence of many honourable guests, including Pakistani cricket legend Shoaib Akhtar, Australian actor of Pakistani descent Rahart Adams, the Honourable Bruce Atkinson MP and Bronwyn Halfpenny MP, Kathleen Matthews- Ward- Labor Candidate for Broadmeadows Kathleen Matthews, and Abdul Khaliq Qazi, the first Pakistani migrant to Australia in 1961.
The world’s fastest bowler Shoaib Akhtar spoke about Pakistan before actor Rahart Adams addressed the audience about his background and how he is connected to the Pakistani community. He is currently working on projects in Hollywood. At the end of the formal event, a celebration cake was cut by special guests.
The following ASC student contestants were awarded with prizes by Mr Abdul Khaliq Qazi and the Hon. Consul General Mr Syed Moazzam Hussain Shah:
- 1st Prize: Amnah Saad (Year 10)
- 2nd Prize: Amnah Khan (Year 10)
- 3rd Prize: Abeera Zafar (Year 8)
- 4th Prize: Ayesha Malik (Year 8).
MashaAllah, congratulations to all our participants for their well-prepared and rehearsed public speeches.
We would like to thank the Pakistan Consulate General for organising this event and giving our students the wonderful opportunity to be part of this special occasion.