19/07/2026
๐ธ๐ด๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ฅ๐ข ๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐
๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐ โ ๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐จ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐, ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐ฆ๐บ
Yesterday, we proudly hosted the annual Somali Day Australia Festival at Debneys Park, Flemington.
It was a wonderful day with an incredible turnout from our community. Families and children came together to celebrate Somali Independence Day in a joyful and welcoming atmosphere.
The park was filled with smiles, blue colors, face painting, children's rides, music and a delicious BBQ. Hundreds of sausages were served, especially for the children.
The Somali Day Australia Festival is celebrated in two parts. On 1 July, we proudly raise the Somali flag at Federation Square, and then we come together for our main community celebration where families and the wider community celebrate Somali culture, heritage and unity.
We were honoured to welcome many distinguished guests, including Jo Briskey MP โ Federal Member for Maribyrnong; Richard Welch MP โ State Member for North-Eastern Metropolitan, representing Opposition Leader Jess Wilson; Ellen Sandell MP โ Member for Melbourne; Anasina Gray-Barberio MP โ Northern Metropolitan; Cr Rose Iser โ Mayor of Moonee Valley City Council; Cr Hamish Jones and Cr Ava Adams from Moonee Valley City Council; Victoria Police representatives including Senior Sergeant Peter Sambell, Yasac Abdullahi and Yonis Abdullahi; and our respected Somali Community Elders Abdullahi Mohamed Bulle, Suldan Abdi Shuriye and Suldan Ahmed Ajeh Yusuf.
We were also pleased to welcome our African community leaders, including Dr. Berhan M. Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer, Africause; Fred Alale AM, Chair, African Music and Cultural Festival (AMCF); Bachir Mohamed, President, Djiboutian Community Council of Australia; Tesfaye Yigzawe, President, Ethiopian Community Association in Victoria; Dr. Michael Muleme, President, Uganda the Pearl of Africa Victoria Association Inc.; Derrick Chabala, President, Zambian Association for Victoria; Wonnah Sahn, President, Liberian Community of Victoria Inc.; Yasseen Musa, Vice President, Eritrean Jeberti Community; Sisay Dinku, Managing Director, Multicultural Consulting Services; and Rober Aduer Ring.
We also acknowledge Somali community leaders and organisations, including Ahmed Dini from Australian Somali Football Association and United Through Football; Liban Yusuf โ President of Somali Australian Friendship Association (SAFA); Istanbul Serar โ Coordinator of Somali Women's Group; Ayan Dahir from Mama Teach Me My Culture; and Ifrah from Ifka Culture Hub.
A very special thank you goes to our young basketball players who proudly participated in the celebration.
We would also like to thank HWPL for joining us and supporting our festival. Their team engaged children through a fun and interactive Harmony Challenge Target Game, encouraging them to learn about respect, inclusion, diversity, Somali heritage, friendship, kindness and positive relationships while enjoying the activities. We appreciate their contribution in creating a meaningful and enjoyable experience for our young participants.
We sincerely thank the amazing MMT Team - Abdisalam Ali and Harbi Fareey, Cameraman Ahmed Yare from Damal TV, and all our dedicated volunteers for their hard work behind the scenes and their commitment to making this event successful.
Our heartfelt thanks also go to the Flemington Rotary Club and the BBQ team for serving sausages throughout the day and helping create a welcoming environment for families.
We thank the entire Somali community across Victoria for your wonderful support, attendance and participation.
Finally, our deepest appreciation goes to Moonee Valley City Council for their generous support and partnership. Without their contribution, bringing together so many families and children for this special celebration would not have been possible.
Thank you to everyone who helped make Somali Day Australia Festival 2026 a memorable celebration of culture, community and togetherness. ๐๐ธ๐ด๐ฆ๐บ
Photos Part 1
