(Minghui.org) A celebration was held at Chatswood’s main street in Sydney on July 27, 2025. Local residents and elected officials spoke about the meaningful contribution Falun Gong (Falun Dafa) practitioners make to the multicultural social fabric of Australia, by sharing the benefits of the spiritual practice and the power of its moral teachings.
Performances by the Tian Guo Marching Band kicked off the day’s activities.
Practitioners demonstrated the exercises during the celebration in Chatswood.
State Member of Parliament: Falun Gong’s Fundamental Tenets, Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, Are So Important and Valued
State Member of Parliament for New South Wales, Tim James, mentioned in his speech how he first met Falun Gong practitioners 25 years ago when he worked in the office of former Prime Minister John Howard. He described Falun Gong as “A beautiful spiritual movement.”
He continued, “How practitioners are treated in China is something we denounce. In Australia, we believe in freedom of belief, freedom of thought, freedom of expression, and freedom of association. These are the fundamental human freedoms that have underpinned Western civilization, and indeed our modern world. Without freedom, we as people cannot flourish, we cannot live our most fulfilled lives.
“I want to say to everyone in the Falun Gong community right across Chatswood, Willoughby, New South Wales, and Australia, you are welcome, you are appreciated, and we thank you for your gentleness, your Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. If we do not have truth in this world, we do not have anything. That surely is a foundation stone. Compassion, to give of yourself, to give to others, to be charitable, that is so important in our world today. And forbearance, to be selfless, to be thoughtful, to be merciful, the world absolutely needs more forbearance. Those fundamental tenets of Falun Gong are so important, so valued, and indeed very welcome in our city and right across our country.”
Councilor: Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance Speak to the Shared Hopes of People Across the World
Willoughby City Councilor Michelle Chuang spoke at the event celebrating World Falun Dafa Day.
Willoughby City Councilor Michelle Chuang said in her speech that Falun Gong, “Is more than a traditional Chinese spiritual practice. It is a way of life rooted in the universal principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance; Zhen, Shan Ren. These values are not only deeply meaningful in Chinese culture, but they also speak to the shared hopes of people across the world.
“Today’s event is a celebration of these principles expressed through art, music, meditation, and community. It is a chance to reflect on the importance of inner peace in an increasingly busy world, and the strength that comes from living with integrity and kindness.
“To the Falun Gong community, thank you for sharing your culture, your values, and your resilience.
“Let us continue to stand for harmony, human dignity, and the right of every individual to live in Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.”
Councilor: I Admire the Culture Falun Gong Practitioners Share with Others in Australia
Willoughby City Councilor Anna Greco.
Willoughby City Councilor Anna Greco said she loved seeing practitioners demonstrate the exercises and was delighted to see beautiful Chinese dance and cultural performances at the event.
Ms. Greco said she was saddened by the 26-year-long persecution endured by Falun Gong practitioners in China. She was happy for practitioners living in Australia because they, “are part of the community in Australia. They are able to live with dignity.”
She encouraged practitioners to continue to “share your culture” with the community.
Candidate in Last Federal Election: Please Stand Up For Those Who Cannot Stand Up For Themselves
Lisa Cotton, CEO of the Torchlight Foundation, spoke at the event.
Lisa Cotton, CEO and founder of the Torchlight Foundation, said she was a candidate in the last Federal election. She is now a national community advocate.
She recently looked into what Falun Gong is and found it is a “Compassionate, tolerant, forbearing and peaceful practice.
“I welcome those who are practicing Falun Gong. I stand in solidarity with those who have experienced a horrendous injustice, in other countries, particularly in China, and now also in Australia.
“I am absolutely outraged. I am shaken to the core with what I am reading and seeing, and hearing about what is happening to the people who practice Falun Gong.
“I want to take a stand with you, with the community, who don’t accept intimidation, injustice or any kind of coercive control.
“As a Christian, I stand on the foundation of justice, love and kindness, and respect. I am not frightened of the Chinese government. I am not frightened of any kind of regime that says that I need to be silent.”
Ms. Cotton appealed for help for Falun Gong practitioners suffering in China: “Please stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves.”
Australia Falun Dafa Association Spokesperson: This Is a Day of Celebration
John Deller spoke on behalf of the Australia Falun Dafa Association.
In his speech, John Deller, spokesman for the Australia Falun Dafa Association, welcomed the people in Chatswood to the event and explained it was a day of celebration and commemoration of Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong.
“Today, we celebrate the efforts of Falun Dafa practitioners here in Chatswood. They practice the meditation and exercises each morning at the Concourse courtyard, offering free classes to the public. They also join community street fairs and parades organized by the Willoughby Council and present Chinese cultural performances as you will see here today, including the magnificent Tian Guo Marching Band made up of practitioners, many of whom were persecuted, or had family members suffer persecution in China because of their beliefs.
“Over the past 26 years, practitioners in Chatswood have helped people to understand the persecution of Falun Gong in China, distributed independent Chinese language newspapers, such as the Epoch Times and Vision Times, and helped immigrants withdraw from Chinese communist party affiliations imposed on them in China, and embrace life here in Australia free from communist oppression.
“Today we also commemorate Falun Dafa practitioners’ resilience and peaceful resistance to the persecution of Falun Gong in China over the past 26 years and protection of the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance, which are at the heart of Falun Dafa’s teachings.”
Asian Community Group: Falun Dafa Adherents Have Demonstrated Remarkable Resilience and Dignity
Asian community groups - Australian Taiwanese Friendship Association and the Australia Hong Kong Link sent letters supporting the event.
Support letter from Kathy Sieh, President of the Australian Taiwanese Friendship Association.
Kathy Sieh, President of the Australian Taiwanese Friendship Association, wrote in her letter: “On behalf of the Australian Taiwanese Friendship Association, I would like to extend my heartfelt greetings and sincere appreciation to all of you gathered here today.
“As members of a free and multicultural society here in Chatswood, Australia, we know how important it is to protect and cherish cultural and spiritual freedom. Events like this help build bridges between communities and foster deeper mutual understanding and respect.”
She concluded her letter with best wishes for the event: “Wishing today’s event every success – and may it leave each of us feeling more connected, inspired and at peace.”
Letter of support from Australia Hong Kong Link
In the letter received from Australia Hong Kong Link: “Australia Hong Kong Link stands in solidarity with Falun Dafa practitioners and their unwavering commitment to the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. For 26 years, despite unimaginable persecution, Falun Dafa adherents have demonstrated remarkable resilience and dignity in the face of brutality.
“As an Australian organization representing the Hongkonger diaspora, we share the deep pain of persecution and repression inflicted by the Chinese Communist Party and its authoritarian regime. We recognize the immense courage it takes to uphold spiritual freedom under such oppression. The CCP’s ongoing persecution of Falun Dafa – and its global campaign of intimidation – are egregious violations of fundamental human rights. These injustices must not, and cannot, be ignored.
“Here in Australia, we are privileged to live in a society that upholds freedom of belief and expression. With this freedom comes the responsibility to stand with those who are denied these basic rights elsewhere. Falun Dafa practitioners, through their peaceful presence and moral strength, enrich our communities and contribute meaningfully to the multicultural fabric of our nation.
“We commend Falun Dafa’s steadfast commitment to peaceful resistance. We call upon all people of conscience to support their pursuit of justice, freedom, and human dignity. Your perseverance is a powerful testament to the enduring strength of compassion and truth, even in the darkest of times.”
Practitioners celebrate the spread of Falun Dafa globally by presenting various cultural performances.
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