Melbourne, Australia, 9 June 2011 (by Tsering
Kyinzom) - His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived in Melbourne this morning
from New Zealand to start his 11-day tour to Australia. He was
accompanied by Mr Sonam Dagpo, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai
Lama in Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia. Lynn Bain, General
Manager of Dalai Lama in Australia Ltd (DLiA), was at the airport to
welcome him on his 8th visit to Australia.
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His Holiness the Dalai Lama is greeted by well wishers on his arrival in Melbourne, Australia, on 9 June 2011.
Photo/Tibet Information Office |
A representative from the Indian consulate in
Melbourne, members of the local Tibetan community and a group of
Australian supporters were also at the airport.
His Holiness travelled to the hotel in the centre
of the city, where he was met by members of the DLiA board. A group of
young Tibetans greeted him with a Tashi Shoepa dance on his arrival.
His Holiness had a series of one-on-one media
interviews in the afternoon with some of the leading media organisations
in the country, including the Sydney Morning Herald, Channel 9 and
Channel 10.
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| His Holiness the Dalai Lama is
presented with an Australian Rules football by Harry O'brien in
Melbourne, Australia, on 9 June 2011. Photo/Tibet Information Office |
His
Holiness also addressed a media conference, attended by around 80
journalists. He discussed a wide range of issues from the evolution of
Tibetan democracy to his commitment to promoting human values and
universal responsibility, and from the changing socio-political trends
in China to the role of media in society. In a truly Australian fashion,
famous footy (Australian football) player Harry O'Brien presented His
Holiness with a football and his team jumper at the media conference.
The visit to Australia and New Zealand becomes His
Holiness’ first overseas trip after the formal devolution of his
political power.
His Holiness will begin his programmes tomorrow
with a wide range of events including inauguration of a Vietnamese
Buddhist temple, a youth rally and a forum on refugees. The federal MP
for Melbourne city will host a reception in his honour in the afternoon.
