Turkish Pazar Festival 2025

The Moreland Turkish Association has been active in the Moreland (Brunswick, Coburg, Pascoe Vale and Fawkner) community for almost 40 years. Moreland is one the most multicultural areas in Melbourne, one of the most harmonious and multicultural cities in the world. We initially established the Association to support recently arrived Turkish migrants to better understand and navigate Australian society. We ran many community events including classes and seminars, sporting events, concerts and celebrations of important national days and also managed a longstanding Saturday Turkish school.

Over time, we saw the community integrate into the local community and as we developed our confidence and skills we saw opportunities to focus outward and build relationships with other communities in the area. Our most recent activities focus on sharing our proud Turkish culture and traditions with other community groups and institutions. As we organise festivals, breaking of the fast meals, concerts and exhibitions we have a commitment to making a difference, to build relationships and also leave behind us a legacy so that our grandchildren and great grand children know where they have come from. We are all Australians now but if we know who we are and where we have come from we will be better placed to contribute to building multicultural Australian society.

They cannot foresee the pain and trouble that are bound to ensue; and equal blame belongs to those who fail in their duty through weakness of will, which is the same as saying through shrinking.

Cemal Akdeniz OAM

President