A small community lunch was hosted by Birrong Boys High School on campus to celebrate the newly elected Mayor of Bankstown, Bilal El-Hayek. The event was attended by distinguished guests, including the head of the Canterbury Bankstown Chamber of Commerce, Wally Mehanna, as well as representatives of the police force.
Upon arrival and taking their seats at the table, guests were treated to various sweets and juices. The formalities commenced with a speech by the school’s principal, Darren Stevens. In his address, he expressed his deep respect for the students of Birrong Boys High School and shared personal stories of inspiration from witnessing students overcoming significant struggles to achieve great success in their lives. He also praised Mayor El-Hayek for his commendable work in the community and wished him the best during his tenure as Mayor.
Following that, Mayor El-Hayek delivered a passionate speech about his love for Bankstown, a vibrant community boasting over 350,000 citizens and representing nearly 200 languages and cultures from every corner of the Earth. He also emphasized his own background as an immigrant who arrived in Australia without knowing English, yet never anticipated reaching his current position. This served as a testament to his belief that regardless of circumstances, people can achieve incredible things in life. The Mayor also applauded the school for its dedication to the students and the impactful work being done for their benefit.
To showcase the school’s involvement in the community and their exciting excursions, a video was shown after Mayor El-Hayek’s speech. The video highlighted various activities, including a visit to Michael Usher at Channel Seven. This was followed by short speeches from Ms. Ola El Hassan, the Student Support Officer of the school, and Ms. Souhair Harris, the Community Liaison Officer and the event’s main organiser. As the official ceremony drew to a close, a raffle was held, and one of the student leaders extended gratitude to all attendees, wishing them a pleasant afternoon.
Overall, the community lunch provided an excellent platform for celebrating Mayor El-Hayek’s accomplishments, acknowledging the school’s efforts, and fostering a sense of unity and cooperation among the attendees.
