Celebrating Diversity, Community and
the Power of Kindness
By Xavier Hernandez
Happy Diwali to everyone celebrating! Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is a time when families and communities come together to celebrate hope, new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil.
Thank you to everyone who invited me to be part of their celebrations, especially Neetu Singh Malick and the Haryanvi Welfare Association in Australia Inc. for bringing the community together. Neetu has helped pave the way for greater representation of women in politics across the Greater Springfield area through her decision to run for council in Ipswich. Despite the challenges she has faced, she continues to support her neighbours and look for the positives, reminding us that we can choose to let our light shine even in difficult times.
As we celebrate Diwali and look forward to Christmas, I am reminded that this time of year can mean different things to different people. While many of us enjoy celebrating with family and friends, others are facing hardship, grief or uncertainty. Recent events, including violence in Loganholme and the tragic loss of life in floodwaters near Boompa, remind me how quickly circumstances can change. My thoughts are with everyone affected, and I encourage us all to show kindness and remember those experiencing loss or hardship.
Thankfully, our communities also give us plenty to celebrate. This month, I was honoured to attend the 20th Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Business Awards at Brisbane City Hall, thanks to Usha and Umesh Chandra OAM. I also celebrated the year with the Vietnamese Senior Citizens Association, thanks to President Kieu Oanh Do, and attended Diwali celebrations across Brisbane.
The Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Business Awards were particularly memorable, thanks to the inspiring people who attended and the dedicated staff who helped make the evening special. Hearing the heartfelt stories of Queensland’s business leaders and award recipients left me feeling inspired and grateful. As the son of a migrant, I grew up in a diverse community that embraces differences, and I feel incredibly fortunate to call Australia home.
I am proud to have grown up among people from all over the world, particularly those of Indian and Vietnamese heritage. My connections also extend to Latin America and many other cultures. These experiences have taught me that we can be proud Australians while embracing the different backgrounds and traditions that make our communities so special.
One memory that has stayed with me is something Vikas Sinha once told my mum and me after someone made a comment about our heritage. He reminded us that our blood does not define who we are or where we belong. What matters is the love, respect and kindness we share. He made us feel like family and reminded us that we were valued and belonged within the Indian community and the wider community.
His words have stayed with me because they reflect what genuine human connection means. It is not simply about attending events or saying we support diversity; it is about showing love and respect without barriers. We may not always speak the same language or share the same traditions, but kindness and genuine human connection can bring us together.
That’s why this awards night is so important. The awards celebrated not only business success but also the people who contribute to Queensland’s economy, strengthen our communities and improve the lives of others. I was inspired by the stories of leaders such as Marcela, a proud woman from Latin America who wanted to be the change she could not see. She took the opportunity to make a difference, joining other courageous people who have forged their own paths to leadership. Congratulations to Marcela on her award. Her story, along with those of the other recipients, highlighted the challenges people can face and the determination it takes to overcome them.
I would like to thank Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, Nina Schrinner, Cr Kim Marx and everyone involved in making the evening so welcoming, memorable and successful, particularly the staff who went above and beyond to make the event possible. I appreciate the genuine and consistent way they acknowledge people, whether they are VIPs, guests or volunteers at a gala or out and about in the community.
I have witnessed and experienced firsthand how they take the time to say hello, ask how we are and make people feel welcome and heard. I believe these small gestures of kindness deserve to be recognised because they show how good people can make a positive difference in the lives of others.
I would also like to acknowledge JD Deo and Sandy Deo, who were not at the awards but were very much in my thoughts. They have supported and mentored so many people, and I am grateful for their ongoing encouragement and contributions to the community.
I also enjoyed chatting with Jyotika about issues affecting young people, art classes and community volunteering. She introduced me to The Christmas Party, which supports children with disabilities and complex needs. To volunteer or donate, visit www.sccpau.com.au.
Jyotika also runs Neerja’s Painting Classes, where children and beginners can explore drawing, sketching, painting and colour mixing in a welcoming environment. Casual lessons are available. For more information, visit the Neerja’s Painting Classes Facebook page, email [email protected] or call Jyo on 0423 764 428.
I was also pleased to catch up with Angela Owen, former councillor for Calamvale Ward, who continues to advocate for and support the community. During her time as councillor, Angela helped shape Calamvale and supported the Indian community, other multicultural communities and our veterans.
Angela now assists seniors and people from diverse backgrounds through her consultancy work. She has also taken on a new role as an authorised marriage celebrant, offering personalised ceremonies for weddings, vow renewals, baby namings, funerals, memorials and milestone occasions, as well as emcee services. If you are looking for a guest speaker or need guidance, I encourage you to reach out to Angela. I will share more about her services next month.
Another topic readers have raised is Australia’s changing social media laws. Keeping people safe online, particularly young people, is important, but we must also consider freedom of expression, access to information and the ability to make informed decisions. Public accountability and community safety matter, too. I would love to hear your thoughts. I believe listening to different perspectives is an important step towards finding practical solutions.
My challenge to readers this month is to choose a cause that matters to you and think about how you can help raise awareness. Recently, I challenged myself to walk nine kilometres with my school, St John’s Anglican College, as part of the Mental Health Walk for Awareness. The experience reminded me that even small actions can start important conversations and make a difference.
Until next month, let us celebrate our differences, look after one another and remember that even the smallest act of kindness can make a meaningful difference.
