On Saturday 24 June 2023 I took part in the celebration of Refugee Week and the first anniversary of the Australian South East Asian Network [ASEAN]. I was joined by the Assistant Minister for Defence, the Hon. Matt Thistlethwaite, MP; Senator Dean Smith from Western Australia; and my colleague Julia Finn, the State member for Granville. The event was a great success and was spearheaded by its founder, Sawathey Ek, OAM. I have known Sawathey for many years, including before entering Parliament in my capacity as a lawyer. There were a few special highlights that were out of the ordinary for a multicultural event, including the special signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding between the local communities, and the panel discussion. Besides the variety of food tasting, the event offered opportunities for young people to shine. I congratulate the young people appointed as ASEAN youth ambassadors, including Christina Mao, Dylan Ek, Danny Khov, Khim Greenaway and Angel‑Lina Khov. I congratulate all the volunteers of ASEAN and its host, the Lao community.