Teetotaller toast to Israel
AS Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Simon Overland and other distinguished guests watched on, Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu (pictured) spoke highly of the work of the Community Security Group (CSG).
AS Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Simon Overland and other distinguished guests watched on, Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu (pictured) spoke highly of the work of the Community Security Group (CSG).
Baillieu addressed a large gathering at Melbourne’s Windsor Hotel last Wednesday as part of Israel’s 63rd Independence Day celebrations.
The habitual swimmer also made a “teetotaller’s toast” to the Jewish State.
Attending for the first time as Premier, Baillieu spoke of his pride watching Australians compete at the Maccabiah Games on his last visit to Israel almost two years ago.
But for community leadership, it was Baillieu’s praise of CSG that really caught their attention.
“The Community Security Group in Victoria does an exceptional job in supporting community institutions, but also supporting Victoria Police in their efforts working tirelessly for the Jewish community, but also provided enormous benefits to Victorians across the board,” he said.
The Member for Hawthorn personally noted the work of CSG at Bialik College, which is within his own electorate.
As well as Overland, Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews, dozens of Victorian parliamentarians, members of the clergy, including Archbishop Philip Freier, Victorian human rights and equal Opportunity commissioner Dr Helen Szoke and many other dignitaries were present.
Israeli Ambassador Yuval Rotem commended Victoria for its support of Israel and spoke passionately of his country.
“At 63, we feel that we have proudly taken our place among the nations,” Rotem said.
“Where once Israel stood in need of aid, today our doctors and personnel stand ready to assist in crises that affect others.
“At 63, we continue to face challenges as a nation, we struggle with internal disagreement over identity, we face the everlasting challenge of immigration and integration, we face a severe shortage of water and land and we have reached exhausting levels of anti-Semitism across the globe.
“Yet society progress, the economy flourishes,” Rotem said.
The crowd was also addressed by Jewish Community Council of Victoria president John Searle and Zionist Council of Victoria president Sam Tatarka, whose organisations hosted the event.
NAOMI LEVIN
Photo: Peter Haskin
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