"This is an amazing festival, and this is my first time here at this festival. Can you believe it?

I haven’t been here before, but it is such a privilege to be here to see your kids coming together, off their devices and off their mobile phones, to play in the community.

There is a lot of talk about what divides us in Australia today but not enough is shown of what pulls us together – that we live in this beautiful country, that we all love each other, that we work, that we work to be wonderful neighbours to each other.  We don’t just tolerate each other’s cultural background, but we try to share in it, and we share ours with somebody else.

It's unique to the world and it's something precious which we need to  protect and Thuat is doing exactly that.

There is a really important message  that comes out of this festival and that is that nobody is born with hatred and racism in their heart – they are taught it.

It is just as easy to teach them to love one another, to live in a community, to respect that we live in this wonderful country and that’s exactly what this Children’s Festival does.

Congratulations to the organiser and here’s to another twenty-four years." 

The Hon. Chris Minns MP.

Premier of New South Wales

Canterbury-Bankstown Children's Festival

I want to show my support for the Canterbury-Bankstown Children’s Festival. Last year’s event in Yagoona was a great success – giving parents, kids and families a wonderful day out.  

For over 25 years, the Children's Festival has brought together families and community groups to celebrate their cultural heritage with pride.

NSW is one of the most successful multicultural and multi-faith societies in the world. At a Children’s Festival event, you get to see the strength and vibrancy of our communities – up close.

An enormous amount of work goes into hosting these festivals.

I thank all the volunteers involved – including the costume-makers, artistic directors, traffic controllers, event managers, and everything in between.

Thank you also to the Children’s Festival Organisation. It is great to see families from all different backgrounds come together to celebrate our city and rich cultural diversity.

Have a wonderful Canterbury-Bankstown Children’s Festival everybody.

Chris Minns MP

Premier of New South Wales

Canterbury-Bankstown Children's Festival 2024

I write to commend the efforts of Mr Thuat Van Nguyen and his team in holding the Canterbury Bankstown Children's Festival for 2024, now in its 25th year. 

Our local area is the home of one of the most culturally diverse communities in Australia. 

It is a place of churches, mosques and temples, where different languages grace our shops and where our homes welcome eveyry one, no matter where they were born, how they worship or what language they speak. 

And the majority of the people who call our local area home are first- or second-generation Australians. 

This is where the new Australia is being forged - a courageous, cosmopolitan, cohesive country, where being Australian is not about where you come from but about where you are going. 

That's why I am so pleased to support the Children's Festival. Building a new Australia starts with our children - playing together and living in harmony. 

Together the Children's Festival is helping to build a better local community- a shining light to the rest of the world. 

I encourage everyone in our local community to get involved in what will be a fantastic day. 

Jason Clare MP

Minister for Education

Federal Member for Blaxland

The Minister's Message

Canterbury-Bankstown Children's Festival 2024

For 25 years the Children's Festival has been bringing together thousands of people from across Sydney to celebrate our diversity of culture and our strength in unity as Australians. 

It features vibrant performances and participation from talented children, reflecting a snapshot of modern Australia through music, arts, culture and traditional costumes from around the word. 

I would like to acknowledge the Founder and President of the Children's Festival Organisation, Mr Thuat Van Nguyen OAM, whose remarkable efforts have built the Children's Festival into what it is today. 

It is a very impressive organisation that I've had the opportunity to get to know well since 2014 and it has been a privilege to attend the Children's Festival in recent years. 

I look forward to the continued success of the Children's Festival and pass on my best wishes for this year's celebrations. 

Yours sincerely, 

David Coleman MP 

Federal Member for Banks

The Hon. David Coleman MP's Message

Canterbury-Bankstown Children's Festival 2024

I am delighted to be expressing my heartfelt support for the Canterbury-Bankstown Children's Festival 2024, now in its 26th year.

Good luck to everyone who has been nominated for a Children's Festival Excellence Award. You have not only excelled in your studies but are also involving yourselves in a variety of community activities that help others - well done!

The festival is a chance to acknowledge the contributions of all our exceptional young people. They are the leaders of tomorrow, and their creativity and enthusiasm benefit us all.

Thank you to all the organisers and volunteers who work tirelessly to make this memorable day so special for so many young people.

The Hon. Steve Kamper MP

Minister for Multiculturalism
State Member for Rockdale

The Minister's Message

Children's Festival 2024 

The Children's Festival is a hallmark in the Canterbury Bankstown community's calendar. I would like to extend my warmest wishes and congratulations to all the organisers and volunteers who have worked hard to coordinate this great event year after year. 

I understand that this is the 26th anniversary of this festival. As a regular attendee, I know this is always a great event that brings children together of all different backgrounds and provides them with a platform to showcase their talents and celebrate their differences. 

The Children's Festival has become a dynamic space for children to learn, grow, and develop a strong sense of identity and belonging, all while encouraging friendships that transcend cultural and geographical boundaries. Through festivals, celebrations, and community events, we not only keep our heritage alive but also share it with fellow Australians, fostering understanding and appreciation. 

Thuat Van Nguyen OAM and the Children's Festival Organisation have continuously contributed to our vibrant community through the Children's Festival, and I thank them on behalf of the Bankstown Electorate for all their dedication and hard work. 

Yours sincerely

The Hon. Jihad Dib MP 

Member for Bankstown 

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Minister for Emergency Services 

Minister for Youth Justice

The Minister's Message

2024 Canterbury-Bankstown Children’s Festival

I am delighted to congratulate the Children’s Festival Organisation on the ocassion of their annual Canterbury-Bankstown Children’s Festival.

Since the first event in Bankstown in 1999, the organisation has flourished, expanding its reach to host festivals across Bankstown, Canterbury, Marrickville, Campbelltown, and the City of Sydney.

Over the years, they successfully held numerous festivals, engaging hundreds of thousands of participants and inspiring countless volunteers from our diverse communities to make their community a better place for all.

I am privileged to have attended many Children’s Festivals in my time as a Member of Parliament, and I am always in awe of the dedication and hardwork required to bring harmony and joy to the community.

New South Wales thrives on its rich multicultural heritage, and each Children’s Festival is a vibrant testament to the success of our diverse society.

Thank you to all the staff and volunteers of the Children’s Festival Organisation who work so hard for the community and thank you to President Thuat Van Nguyen AM for your leadership.

May this year’s festival be a great success!

Mark Coure MP

Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism

Shadow Minister for Jobs, Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology

Shadow Minister for South-West Sydney

Mr. Mark Coure MP's Message

Canterbury-Bankstown Children’s Festival

I would like to express my support for the fantastic work of the Children’s Festival Organisation. The upcoming Canterbury-Bankstown Children’s Festival, one of over 40 festivals they have held around Sydney, is a vibrant celebration of the diverse cultures that enrich NSW. It brings children and families together, fostering connections, encouraging learning, and promoting mutual respect and appreciation for our differences.

As the State Member for East Hills, it's great to see the festival return to our community, continuing its tradition of bringing people together and celebrating our cultural diversity.

Thank you to the festival organisers and volunteers for the hard work and dedication you have shown over the last 25 years.

Thank you also to the children and families participating in the festival. I look forward to attending and encourage everyone to get involved.

Kylie Wilkinson MP

State Member for East Hills

Ms Kylie Wilkinson MP's Message

Congratulations

25th Anniversary

Children's Festival Organisation Inc.

It's an honour to have Canterbury Bankstown chosen, once again, as the venue for the annual Children's Festival at Playford Park, Padstow.

This year's theme celebrates 26 years of Building Harmony and Celebrating

Diversity, starling with Children, by embracing our shared values to create a

prosperous future nation for all.

I congratulate the Children's Festival Organisation, President Thuat Nguyen AM, volunteers, supporters, and sponsors, for their outstanding efforts and dedication to the ongoing success of this special event, and their contribution to building harmony in our community.

The tremendous diversity and participation in this festival, from over 40 community groups across an array of cultures and religions, is a true example of the unity we enjoy in Canterbury Bankstown. I join you in taking pride, protecting, and promoting this unity.

I wish everybody a most enjoyable day with their family, friends and loved ones, and welcome the visitors to our City. I trust you enjoy your stay and visit again soon.

Yours Sincerely,

Clr Bilal El-Hayek

MAYOR

Clr.  Bilal El-Hayek's Message