As I sang the national anthem alongside members of the Katanning community at the recent Australia Day celebrations, I looked around the faces in the crowd. Many were from migrant and refugee backgrounds. Unlike a lot of people, the newer arrivals standing near me knew the second verse to Advance Australia Fair and sang it with gusto. I often struggle to remember some of the lines, which is a shame because I think they reflect the idea of an inclusive nation so well.

Renowned of all the lands;

For those who’ve come across the seas

We’ve boundless plains to share;

With courage let us all combine

To Advance Australia Fair.

I was frequently reminded of the courage of so many refugees when I met up with several who had shared their stories in the book. It was particularly pleasing to see John Nazary again. John is a proud Hazara man from Afghanistan and as I said in my speech during the official celebrations – John’s story reminds me of the strength and endurance of the human spirit. It was good to hear his family continue to do well in Australia with their studies and work. One son, Zeify, is still enjoying international soccer success with Spanish club Malaga.

It was a wonderful way to celebrate Australia Day. The whole community once again made me feel very welcome. I was also pleased to see Zee Sultani recognised with a Citizenship Award for all her work in the community.

In Katanning, I see an Australia that I am proud to call my home.

Me, John Nazary and Lesley Balinski at the Katanning Australia Day celebrations

I was pleased to recently attend Karen New Year celebrations in Balcatta, Western Australia. Over 300 members of the Karen community who have settled in Perth from Burma and refugee camps in Thailand came together to celebrate the day with song, dance, speeches and great food.

The community has celebrated New Year for centuries and it was traditionally held around the time of the first harvest in Burma. The New Year celebrations fall on a different day each year in line with phases of the moon and harvest time. The ethnic Karen community are mostly subsistence farmers in eastern Burma, in both the lowland rice-growing plains and hill regions, with large numbers in the central Irrawaddy Delta. However under the Burmese military government thousands have been forced off their land, persecuted and forced to flee.

In the mid-1930s whilst Burma was still under British rule, there was a push to create a Karen National Day in the country. This was unsuccessful in the parliament but a compromise was reached to recognise a single day as Karen New Year nationwide in 1938. Karen communities who have made their homes in other parts of the world continue to recognise the New Year as special day for the Karen people.

Perth’s Karen community is very active throughout Western Australia and it was pleasing to see such strong support from State and Federal politicians and community leaders at this year’s event.

The highlights of the day for me included learning more about the Karen culture, the traditional dancing and, of course, catching up with friends Beauty John, Paul Kyaw and all their families. Paul and Beauty are two of the people who shared their refugee stories in More to the Story. You can see more photos of the event on the Gallery page.

If you can’t find the book in book stores remember you can buy it from www.margaretriverpress.com.

The beautiful performers from Katanning at the 2016 Karen New Year celebration