Australia: Promoting the Fa at the Riverfiesta in Brisbane

Part of the Riverfiesta activities was a multicultural festival at New Farm Park in Brisbane, Australia on Sunday, September 8, 2002. The Queensland State Department of Multicultural Affairs, along with the Brisbane City Council, sponsor this event every year. We obtained approval to participate in this activity at the last moment even though applications had closed. Although our request was first turned down because we missed the application deadline, we remained firm and explained what our activities would be, and then we were graciously allowed to join the activities and have a stall.

Early on Sunday morning, we began setting up our two gazebos and banners in an area outside of the main circle of stall holders. Obviously, this wasn't the best spot for us, but we continued setting up. As we were finishing, one of the organisers came over and said that she had a much better spot for us, but that it would be close to the music and a bit noisy. After visiting that spot, we saw that it was ideal and told her the noise wouldn't be any problem for us. We moved our entire set-up close to the stage area where most of the activities would be taking place during the day. Everyone who came to listen to the bands and watch the dance performances on the stage would see us and had excellent access to our gazebos and information.

Children watching meditation	Sharing Dafa

This event was truly a multicultural affair. There was a steady stream of diverse nationalities passing by our stall all day long, many watching the exercise demos, some learning the exercises, others asking questions about Falun Gong and the persecution in China and many taking literature. Hundreds of flyers were distributed and numerous people signed our petition. This event allowed us to promote Dafa to groups of people we have not had access to before. One person who spent most of the afternoon with us was a practitioner from Mainland China who just arrived in Australia. He shared many of his experiences with us as he spoke quite fluent English.

The local MP for the area, Mr David Hinchliffe, spoke at the opening ceremony. We had an opportunity to briefly speak with him afterwards. He had shown support for us in the past, for example, in welcoming the SOS walkers who walked from Sydney to Brisbane last year. It was an opportune time to make contact with him once again as he had suggested we contact a particular Councillor for details on how to speak with the Council in person for five minutes on any local matter.

Crest Newspaper photographer

A photographer from the local neighbourhood Crest newspapers stopped and took numerous photos for inclusion in their next edition. He also took all the material we had, including VCDs [Video Cdrom’s], for a write-up.
More and more people in Queensland are becoming aware and showing support to the Falun Gong practitioners severely persecuted under the orders of Jiang in China. Even many of the Mainland Chinese tourists are now responding positively and taking the literature we hand out. None of the Westerners can understand why anyone would persecute such a peaceful practice, as they can feel for themselves the wonderful energy given off by practitioners.