By Aaron Cordy
GREATER Shepparton’s vibrant Albanian community was on display in the capital last Monday, November 25, as part of the Parliamentary Friends of Albania event.
Co-hosted by Federal Member for Nicholls, Sam Birrell MP and Federal Member for Adelaide, Steve Georganas MP, the event was attended by more than a dozen Federal Members and Senators from both sides of the party line including the Honourable Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese MP and several locals who showcased their wonderful Albanian heritage.
“People of Albanian descent are making huge contributions to our nation, and the evening was to celebrate them and our growing friendship with this burgeoning European country,” Mr Birrell said.
The Albanian Ambassador, Adrian Mara, Greater Shepparton Mayor, Shane Sali, and president of the Shepparton Albanian Society (SAS) Reg Qemel, also attended the event which was brought to life with Albanian food and traditional Albanian dance performed by SAS.
“It was exciting, I’m glad I was there because it was something I’d never been to before. The cooperation between the community and the government was a great thing with the Prime Minister and all the dignitaries there. Personally, it was a great experience, I got a buzz out of it,” said Riddy Ahmet, former president of the SAS.
“It was good to be recognised by the government that the Albanian community does exist and has been here for a long time.
“We had our dancers there who did an amazing job. The whole evening was fantastic. I’d like to congratulate the organisers of the event, Sam Birrell who was one of them, and our committee. Qazibe [Karen Qazibe Resul] from Stanley’s, was cooking Albanian food there and everybody was rushing to it. The whole thing was well put together, and I was very glad to be invited as a past president.”
The event coincided with Albanian Independence Day, when Albania broke from the Otterman Empire on November 28, 1912.
