Premier's Column

I had the privilege of visiting the whole world in one place recently – at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.

It was an almost overwhelming experience, with 70 million people expected to visit the Expo over its six month duration. Among the grandness of the exhibitions, I was sharply focussed on promoting Victoria’s economic and cultural strengths.

Victoria forms a major part of Australia’s significant presence at Expo 2010. After all, it’s a Victorian company that is behind the striking design of the Australia Pavillion – which is coated in what looks like iron ore.

In April each year, Australians come together to commemorate the courage and sacrifice of our armed services – on ANZAC Day.

Around four years ago I attended the closing ceremony of the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games with my wife, Rosemary.

It was a really memorable evening and like millions of people watching all around the world, Rosemary and I were captivated by the magic of the Bollywood song and dance spectacular.

It was an exciting, highly charged performance and featured such Bollywood stars as Rani Mukherjee, Saif Ali Khan and Aishwarya Rai.

Late last month, I took part in Vindaloo Against Violence – a wonderful new initiative and the brainchild of Melbourne resident, Mia Northrop.

Vindaloo Against Violence, held on Wednesday 24 February, saw thousands of Victorians eating out at their local Indian restaurants and demonstrating their support for our much loved Indian community.

No Victorian will ever forget February 2009. One hundred and seventy-three men, women and children lost their lives in the Gippsland and Black Saturday fires.