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Wednesday, 15 February 2012
Page: 1388

Mr HAYES (Fowler) (13:49): Last Saturday I had the pleasure of attending the graduation ceremony of the Chaldean Australian Academic Society. The event was attended by His Grace Mar Jabriel Kassab, Archbishop of the Chaldean Catholic Diocese of Australia and New Zealand. The federal government sees completing Year 12, getting a university degree or vocational qualifications as a life-changing opportunity. It is about providing more Australians, particularly in the south-west of Sydney, with the skills they need to acquire the jobs of the future.

To all the HSC students and university graduates who attended from across the Fowler electorate, I would like to offer my congratulations on your academic achievement. The honour you have received is a great personal achievement and also a source of great pride and inspiration for our whole community. Among the many community groups and leaders who attended, I thank President Bassam Frety and the founder of the society, Adris Frety, for the work they have done in promoting academic achievement within the Chaldean academic community.

The ceremony was also an opportunity for us to share knowledge and ideas across all the professions that attended and to encourage Chaldean culture and traditions across the broader community. I wish to thank all those involved in helping our students to this great achievement.