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.