Chancellor's Address: Auburn Mosque Eid celebration

The following address was delivered by Western Sydney University Chancellor, Professor Jennifer Westacott AC at Auburn Mosque for the celebration of Eid on Friday, 20 March 2026 (please check against delivery).

Eid Mubarak!

Good morning and thank you for having me.

As Chancellor of Western Sydney University, I am honoured to be asked to this magnificent mosque here in Auburn to celebrate the festival of Eid.

Eid – of course – marks the end of Ramadan.

Eid is a festival of ‘the breaking of the fast’ where family and friends come together and celebrate by:

In Australia, it is also an opportunity for cross faith interactions.

A time of warmth, understanding, empathy and allyship.

At Western Sydney University, we are proud to serve a multicultural and multifaith community.

Our region is a vibrant, energetic and dynamic region, made up of people from more than 170 nations.

Western Sydney’s cultural, linguistic and religious diversity is an extraordinary strength, connecting us to the globe and opening up a world of opportunity.

Our University strives to be a space of welcome and belonging, and we proudly serve the highest number of Islamic students in Australia.

We know the recent Human Rights Commission survey of University students reveals that too many Muslim students have experienced racism at campuses around the country.

This is totally unacceptable.

The same pertains for their Jewish, Africa, Aboriginal and Pasifika brothers and sisters.

At Western Sydney University, we are committed to ensuring our campuses are zones of cultural safety, free of bigotry and energised by allyship.

As Chancellor, one of my favourite responsibilities is to preside over graduation ceremonies.

I am so proud when I present our Islamic students with their degrees.

Degrees in Medicine, Engineering, Project Management, Nursing, Teaching and many more.

I see their beaming smiles and their determination to follow their dreams and make a difference.

I hear their families clapping and cheering because they know the hard work and sacrifice that has gone in to gaining those degrees.

I see these young people and I know they are the future of this country.

Today’s students – tomorrow’s leaders.

People whose parents have worked so hard to get their children through school and into university to ensure they have a prosperous life.

At Western Sydney University, we are determined that anyone who wants to go to university – whatever their postcode or family background – has that opportunity.

We are determined to widen the pathways to education.

In 2024, we partnered with Harvey Norman to launch the Harvey Norman Young Women’s Leadership Academy at Auburn Girl’s High School.

This is a decadal program designed to empower and educate young women, facilitating access to higher education, and encouraging mentoring and leadership within their respective communities.

In addition, the Katie Page Scholarship Program, now in its tenth year at Western, continues to support female students who face barriers to university participation and success.

It has helped 104 students and counting.

The program supports equity students, high potential women, and women from refugee backgrounds – building leadership skills and unlocking opportunities they’ve only dreamed of.

Many people have come to Australia as migrants, refugees or asylum seekers to escape war and unrest.

To escape insecurity and violence.

They have come here for a better life, a peaceful and harmonious life, for themselves and for their families.

I cannot stand here without acknowledging the troubled world we are all now living in and I pray for all the people caught up in the terrible fighting in the Middle East.

And I acknowledge that both the Bible and the Qur’an advocate for peace, justice, and kindness as core values.

I was brought up a Christian.

My basic tenant in life is “Do unto others as you would have them do to you.”

I believe these are the values of many religions.

The Qur’an and the Bible both view peace not just as the absence of war, but as a proactive state of harmony, justice, and trust in God.

As we break the fast, we are bonded today by our shared values of:

My University extends to all of you an invitation to join us in strengthening these foundations to promote understanding and social cohesion.

We are your partners in nurturing meaningful relationships across cultures, faiths and backgrounds that bring us all closer together.

As we gather together, we also reflect on our generational responsibility to create a prosperous and peaceful society for our children – so that I can graduate your children and your grandchildren as the future leaders of our country.

Thank you.

ENDS.

20 March 2026
Media Unit