Over the past fortnight I have had the privilege of attending some remarkable community events that truly reflect the heart and soul of our region. On Saturday 7 March I joined the Ararat community for a beautiful iftar dinner at the Gordon Street Recreation Reserve. It was a night filled with generosity, reflection and the powerful spirit of togetherness that defines Ramadan. We came together not just to share a meal, but to honour the incredible contribution the local Muslim community makes to Ararat every day.

Thank you to my friends at the Ararat Islamic Welfare Association for creating such a meaningful evening, in particular Altaf Hussain, Muhammad Hanif, Manzoor Mian, Fahim Ahmad Farooq and Faraz Ahmad.