Vicki Dunne MLA

Speaker for the Legislative Assembly for the ACT

 

MEDIA RELEASE

10 March 2015

 

Celebrating Commonwealth day with Your Assembly

The Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory will mark Commonwealth Day in an event that brings together members of the diplomatic corps with the leadership of Canberra’s senior colleges.

“Commonwealth Day is an opportunity for us to celebrate our membership within the family of Commonwealth countries, the broad community that we are part of by virtue of Australia’s historical linkages with Britain”, said the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Mrs Vicki Dunne MLA.

This year H.E. Mr Enoch Nkuruho, High Commission of the Republic of Uganda, will present a response to the Speaker’s welcome, and Ally Wijnen, College Captain of St Francis Xavier College, has been selected to read the message from her
Majesty The Queen.

“The aim of Commonwealth Day is to celebrate the unity and diversity of member nations and to foster greater understanding of the Commonwealth’s achievements and its place in the international order”, Mrs Dunne said.

“We are a diverse and increasingly connected global network and each of the Commonwealth’s member nations brings fresh perspectives and different ideas as to how we can foster progress and international co-operation across a range of different areas.”

This year’s theme − ‘A Young Commonwealth’ – recognises the capacity, contribution and potential of young people, who are at the heart of sustainable development and democracy. This theme aims to express a spirit of friendship and motivation towards the shared goals and values that exist between members of the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth Day is celebrated on the second Monday in March every year.

ENDS