At a Glance

• Religious observances enrich the civic life of Campbelltown and deepen community connection
• Passover, Orthodox Easter, and Eid al Fitr each carry enduring themes of faith, dignity, and renewal
• A diverse city is strengthened when public life makes room for reverence and shared respect
• Civic leadership should recognise belief with humility, care, and an appreciation of tradition

A City Is Strengthened by Reverence

I have always believed that a mature and confident city is one that understands the importance of reverence in public life. Growth, infrastructure, and economic development all matter, but the true character of a place is also revealed in how it honours the traditions, beliefs, and sacred seasons of its people.

In reflecting on this period, I am reminded that Campbelltown is enriched by a great many customs and faiths, each contributing to the moral and cultural depth of our community. Religious observance is not peripheral to civic life. It is part of the living fabric of who we are. It shapes families, guides conscience, and offers people a sense of continuity that extends well beyond the immediate demands of the present.

This season brings with it a number of significant observances, including Passover, Orthodox Easter, and the conclusion of Ramadan marked by Eid al Fitr. Each is distinct in its theology and tradition, yet each speaks in its own way to reflection, discipline, memory, gratitude, and hope. In that, there is something of enduring civic value.

Passover and the Memory of Freedom

Passover, or Pesach, holds a central place in the Jewish calendar. It recalls the Exodus from Egypt and the passage from bondage to freedom. This is not only a story preserved in history. It is a living act of remembrance that continues to shape Jewish identity, family life, and communal belonging.

What has always struck me about Passover is the way in which it connects memory to moral purpose. It asks each generation not merely to recall the past, but to draw meaning from it. The themes of liberty, justice, and human dignity remain as important now as they have ever been.

I noted in the Minute that Passover is

“a time for reflection on themes of liberty, justice, and human dignity.”

That remains, in my view, one of its most powerful lessons. These are not values confined to one tradition alone. They speak to the broader obligations of any decent society.

When a community honours such observances, it does more than acknowledge difference. It affirms that inherited wisdom and moral memory still have a place in public life.

Orthodox Easter and the Discipline of Faith

This season also includes the observance of Orthodox Easter, a deeply significant period for Orthodox Christian communities. It is a time shaped by fasting, Holy Week, solemn devotion, and ultimately the joy of resurrection.

I have always respected the seriousness with which this tradition approaches preparation. The fasting period is not simply about abstinence. It is an act of humility, restraint, and spiritual focus. It speaks to a conception of faith that engages the whole person and asks something meaningful of daily life.

That depth of discipline deserves recognition. In a time when much of public culture can feel hurried and distracted, traditions that call people to contemplation and moral attention offer a quiet but important counterweight. They remind us that renewal is rarely accidental. It is usually preceded by sacrifice, reflection, and endurance.

"The resurrection of Jesus Christ is still central to the Orthodox religion's beliefs about salvation and eternal life."

The differences in calendar between Western and Orthodox Christian traditions are, of course, rooted in long standing ecclesiastical practice. Yet beyond those distinctions lies something more enduring: the central place of resurrection in Christian belief and the hope that flows from it. For many families in our city, this is a sacred and joyful season, marked by worship, remembrance, and gathering.

“May this time be filled with peace, fellowship, and a profound sense of community.”

Eid al Fitr and the Joy That Follows Devotion

This month also marks the conclusion of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid al Fitr. The end of the fasting month is a moment of joy, gratitude, prayer, generosity, and reunion. It is one of the most meaningful occasions in the Islamic calendar and one that carries great significance for many in our community.

What is clear to me is that Eid al Fitr reflects both spiritual discipline and social responsibility. Ramadan asks much of those who observe it. It is a month of prayer, self restraint, and devotion. Its conclusion is therefore not simply festive. It is deeply meaningful. The giving of Zakat al Fitr, the gathering of families, and the shared meals all speak to a faith expressed through both worship and care for others.

"Eid al-Fitr is an occasion characterised by communal prayers, festive meals, almsgiving (known as Zakat al-Fitr), and the exchange of social visits and gifts, particularly among families and friends"

I have long held the view that civic life is strengthened when communities are free to bring their deepest values into the public square with confidence and dignity. Religious celebrations such as Eid al Fitr do not divide us. Properly understood, they deepen mutual respect by allowing us to see one another more fully.

The Civic Importance of Shared Recognition

What these observances reveal is that diversity is not a challenge to be managed, but a strength to be understood with maturity. A city such as Campbelltown does not ask people to leave their traditions behind. Rather, it is at its best when it creates room for them to be recognised with respect.

This does not require public institutions to speak for every belief in equal theological terms. It does, however, require us to acknowledge that these traditions matter profoundly to the people who hold them. That recognition is part of civic respect. It helps build trust, reinforces belonging, and reminds us that community is shaped as much by understanding as by proximity.

Reflection

I remain of the view that one of the quiet responsibilities of civic leadership is to recognise moments of significance with sincerity and care. In extending good wishes during these sacred seasons, we affirm something important about Campbelltown: that we are a city capable of respect, reflection, and fellowship across difference, and stronger for it.

Read the original Mayoral Minute here: Religious Celebrations Continue