Australia: Melbourne Practitioners Participate in Grand National Day Parade (Photos)

Victoria Provincial Governor General John Landy hosted a flag-raising ceremony at Melbourne City Hall. After the governor reviewed the military color guard and the bands and gave a speech, citizens then sang the national anthem. After the ceremony, a grand parade was led by the military color guard and bands.

The parade participants included various cultural groups in costume, including colorful floats, musicians and dance troupes. The governor and other government officials sat on the rostrum to watch the parade. Several masters of ceremony introduced each participating parade group one after another as they passed the rostrum. When the Falun Gong group passed by, one MC saw the "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance" banner and said, "Here comes the procession of 'Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance.' Their smiles reflects the principles they believe in. 'Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance' is good for all."

Though it was extremely hot, local residents still packed both sides of the parade route. The Falun Gong group in their yellow exercise suits attracted many people who took lots of photos. The group was led by three little practitioners who were holding three large round tablets with the words, "Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance" inscribed on them. Next was a giant Falun Dafa banner, followed by the waist drum troupe, the "Celestial Maidens" dancers and practitioners dressed in beautiful Tang Dynasty attire. A float brought up the end of the procession. When the practitioners reached the end of the parade route, several people came to have their photos taken with the practitioners as a remembrance of the grand parade.