(Clearwisdom.net) January 26, 2012, was Australia Day. The Australia Day parade, sponsored by the Melbourne city government, drew hundreds of thousands of spectators. The Falun Gong group was invited to participate in this event and was praised as a most magnificent and colorful procession.

The annual Australia Day parade in downtown Melbourne is a grand celebration with a history of several decades. Chinese New Year this year was on January 23, so the celebration was even more jubilant. Seventy-seven groups with a total of 3500 people, including floats, golden dragons, bands, and processions representing many different civilian groups, participated in the parade.

Among the processions, the band in blue and white uniforms was particularly eye-catching. It was the Falun Dafa Divine Land Marching Band from Sydney and Melbourne. Their performance of “Falun Dafa Is Great” won acclamation among spectators. Many people took photos and applauded warmly.

During the one-hour parade, spectators were delighted to see the band. Many tourists from China took group photos with the band. Some of them said excitedly that Falun Gong’s procession was great and that Chinese people in China would be very happy and surprised to see this assembly. Government officials on the viewing stage offered sincere applause. The moderators along the parade route introduced Falun Dafa with enthusiasm. The director of the parade said with his thumb up, “Your performance is great.”

Besides the band, the celestial maidens and an exercise demonstration made up of Falun Gong practitioners performed in the parade and were welcomed, too.

After the parade, many people, including tourists, stood with the band for group photos. They offered their appreciation for the memorable performance.