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Speech by Mr Cemal Akdeniz, Head of Melbourne 40th Anniversary Committee
HE Peter Doyle, Australian Ambassador to Turkey and Distinguished guests
Before the Ambassador took office in Turkey, he met the Committee members in Melbourne on 26 July 2007 where he received information concerning the 40th Anniversary activities. He made a request for staging the exhibition section of the planned activities, which also comprises a book, seminars, festivals and activities from Turkey, in Ankara after it was launched at the Museum Victoria Immigration Museum in Melbourne. We are delighted to see the Ambassador's efforts to finalise this activity through corresponding with the authorities of Museum Victoria Immigration Museum and our committee.
The 40th Anniversary of Turkish immigration to Australia has the purpose of documenting the existence, working lives and experience of Turkish society settled in Australia.
These people worked in a country where they did not know the language, the religion and work culture. They worked non-stop in heavy industry, metal factories, foundries, car manufacturing factories, fabric and textile industries and similar workplaces. They prospered and contributed to the Australian economy.
Despite the difficulties experienced by the first arrivals, they made a great effort to settle permanently in multicultural Australia. They succeeded in opening mosques, sports clubs, social associations, worship houses (Cemevi) and weekend Turkish schools in several regions. We are delighted to see Turkish radio programs, weekly Turkish newspapers, a daily Internet gazette, dynamic entrepreneurs arising from the community's bosom. Our young people are acquiring professional occupations, becoming industrialists and successful award winning business owners from multiple sectors. Our community members have become journalists, writers, members of parliament, mayors, sportsmen in various areas, doctors, engineers, architects, lawyers, accountants and teachers. In addition to this, we are happy to see hundreds of our students registering at universities, attending skill courses at vocational schools. Considering the private schools which were opened recently, 100 percent of students have succeeded in entering university and this is the product of the efforts spent to increase our national pride.
I would like to congratulate everyone who contributed to these efforts. I believe that we deserve to celebrate our 40th Anniversary in the light of such wonderful developments. I would like to offer my thanks and regards to the government of Victoria and its official institutions, the Australian businessmen of Turkish origin, the government of Turkish Republic, the Turkish Ambassador to Australia, the Turkish Consul General in Melbourne, the Australian Ambassador to Turkey, Turkish community members, committee members and distinguished guests who participate here today for their kind support.
On behalf of the Melbourne 40th Anniversary Committee, I would like to present this plaque to Ambassador Peter Doyle to convey greetings of Australian Turkish community in Australia.