Council unveils wall ties

By Bridget Cook
THE City of Casey held a special unveiling ceremony on the weekend to celebrate the city’s international and cultural friendships.
City of Casey mayor Shar Balmes and other councillors joined representatives of the Arabic, Filipino and Serbian communities for the unveiling of five new plaques mounted on the City of Casey’s Wall of Global Friendships on Sunday at the Balla Ball Centre.
Friendship plaques were contributed by the Arabic, Filipino, and Serbian communities, marking the contributions of those communities to the diversity and cultural strength of the City of Casey.
A further plaque was provided by the City of Casey’s sister city, Berwick-upon-Tweed in the United Kingdom, and a memorial plaque commemorating the work of the late Mr Saleh Parkar was also unveiled.
Mr Parkar, who died in 2010, was a key figure in the establishment of the wall.
Cr Balmes said it was Mr Parkar’s vision that was the conception and driving force behind the Wall of Global Friendships.
“Mr Parkar brought the idea to council, and worked as a member of Casey’s Global Friendships Advisory Committee to turn the idea into a reality,” she said.
“We are fortunate to have one of the most ethnically diverse populations in Victoria; more than a quarter of Casey residents were born overseas, coming to live here from 163 different countries.”
The wall is already adorned with community plaques from the Chinese, Indian and Tamil communities and Sister City plaques from Springfield, USA and Ermera, East Timor.
Multicultural groups in Casey wishing to contribute a plaque to the wall can contact 9705 5200 for details.