The Victorian Parliamentary Friends of Tibet, in collaboration with the Tibetan Community in Victoria and the Australia Voluntary Tibet Advocacy Group (V-TAG), hosted a special commemorative event at Victorian Parliament House on 13 August 2025 to celebrate the 90th birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and mark the Year of Compassion.
The gathering brought together senior parliamentary leaders, representatives of the Tibetan community, members of different political parties, and friends and supporters of Tibet. The occasion honoured the life and contributions of His Holiness, highlighting his enduring message of compassion, non-violence, peace, and universal responsibility.
Distinguished Parliamentary Leaders Pay Tribute
The event was attended by the Speaker of the Victorian Legislative Assembly, the Honourable Maree Edwards, as Chief Guest, and the President of the Legislative Council, the Honourable Shaun Leane, as Special Guest. Other distinguished attendees included Victorian Parliamentary Friends of Tibet Co-Chair MP Kaite Hall, MP Tim Read, Representative Karma Singey, and Tibetan Member of Parliament Tenzin Phuntsok Doring.
In her address, Speaker Maree Edwards expressed her respect and warm wishes to His Holiness on his 90th birthday, describing her attendance as a privilege. President Shaun Leane reflected on the global significance of His Holiness’s teachings, noting that his vision offers an important source of guidance for peace in today’s world.
The participation of parliamentary representatives from across the political spectrum underscored the importance of dialogue, mutual understanding, and engagement with the Tibetan community.
Highlighting Tibet’s Cultural Identity and His Holiness’s Global Legacy
Representative Karma Singey spoke about the continued relevance of His Holiness’s message of peace and compassion amid contemporary global challenges. He also drew attention to the challenges facing Tibetans in Tibet under Chinese rule and called on the international community to support the preservation of Tibet’s distinct culture, religion, language, and identity.
Tibetan Member of Parliament Tenzin Phuntsok Doring highlighted the significance of His Holiness’s recent statement concerning his reincarnation and reflected on his extraordinary lifelong contributions to humanity and world peace.
Co-Chair MP Kaite Hall and MP Tim Read expressed their pleasure in co-hosting the commemoration and reaffirmed their continued support for Tibet and the Tibetan people. Their remarks reflected the importance of sustained parliamentary engagement in fostering awareness and maintaining dialogue on matters concerning Tibet.
Celebrating Tibetan Heritage Through Culture and Tradition
The event also provided an opportunity to share Tibetan cultural traditions with parliamentary representatives and other guests. As a gesture of appreciation, attendees received copies of Voice for the Voiceless, the latest book by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, alongside traditional Tibetan delicacies, including khapsey and butter tea.
The celebration featured traditional Tibetan dances performed by the Tibetan Ama-la Group of the Victorian Tibetan Community, adding a cultural dimension to the parliamentary gathering and showcasing the richness of Tibetan heritage.
Through the commemoration, V-TAG Australia joined community and parliamentary partners in honouring the legacy of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and promoting greater understanding of Tibetan culture and values. The event highlighted the role of cultural diplomacy and parliamentary engagement in building connections, strengthening public awareness, and sustaining meaningful dialogue on Tibet in Australia.