What makes us the envy of other countries? There are many reasons.

But one which resonates strongly with me at this point in time is our history of multiculturalism and the great contribution this has made.

We can all feel proud of a tradition that has embraced new arrivals from all parts of the globe and celebrated the cultural diversity this has brought us.

Nowhere has this been the case more so than here in Victoria where the spirit of friendship has been extended since the days of the gold rush and helped shape our way of life today.

Sadly, this proud tradition appears under threat, our reputation for warmth and generosity is increasingly at risk from a new wave of intolerance that appears to be gaining traction in some parts of the country.

This Saturday, activists will stage a number of rallies against Islam at Mosques throughout the country, mirroring similar activities in Britain, the US and Canada.

I am in no doubt the vast majority of Victorians will be dismayed by this activity, which will require the deployment of many police to locations across the state in order to ensure the peace is kept.

I would rather their presence was not required.

At Victoria Police we have a fundamental responsibility to uphold the rights of citizens, including the right to free speech and the right to protest peacefully.

But we also place enormous importance on the rights of people to practice their religion free from intimidation and persecution.

Clearly, the horrific events in Sydney last Friday will have horrified us all. The cold blooded killing of a civilian police staff member Curtis Cheng was a deplorable crime, and my condolences are extended to all his police colleagues, friends and family.

I understand that tragedies such as this – and more broadly the elevated profile of terrorism over the past year – will have made many Victorians feel uneasy. The attack in Parramatta is a reminder to us all of the need to be vigilant and report suspicious activity.

But none of this should be used as an excuse for intolerance.

Now, more than ever, is the time for Victorians of all faiths to be standing together, and focusing on the common bonds and values which unite us, not the points of difference on which ignorance can prosper and fuel division.

Throughout our history, tolerance and acceptance have been the cornerstones on which our multicultural society has been built and we need to protect them.

But that is not to say our history of integration has always been smooth sailing.

When Asian migrants arrived in Victoria during the gold rush, they were shunned and treated with suspicion. A century later, the same occurred when waves of Italian and Greek families upped and moved their lives to Australia after the horrors of World War 2.

Yet history shows that through a determined effort and constant vigilance, acceptance and generosity prevailed.

We were able to see beyond the differences based on appearance and faith and move to acceptance and integration to build a harmonious community.

That is why it is concerning when today we see social media sites used by protest groups becoming littered with messages of hate and incitement of violence against Muslim families.

Similarly, it worries me when we hear of men, women and children who are being abused in the streets because of the faith-based clothes they chose to wear. 

There can be no place for religious vilification in Victoria, yet increasingly police members hear of sections of our community who are feeling isolated and targeted.

Which brings me to this Saturday, and the small bands of militant protestors who are making their plans to rally. They must not overstep the mark.  If protestors use violence they can expect to face the consequences.

(And in a similar vein, we have seen ‘counter protests’ in recent months by groups opposing racism. Much of their behaviour has been equally deplorable, and they too must act within the law.)

Everyone has the right to protest. But protests should always be peaceful and in a manner which is constructive, not destructive to our community harmony which thrives on inclusivity and shuns discrimination in all its forms.

Any place of worship – be it a church, a mosque, a temple or a synagogue - is a sacred space for reflection and connection to faith. It is very special to those who go there, and should not become a focus for hate, harassment, criminal damage or violence.

Victoria better than anywhere knows the harmony that can be enjoyed through the warm embrace of a richly diverse, multi-faith and multicultural community.

I hope that is remembered on October 10th. I really do, because those values which have kept us on the right path for more than 150 years need to be recalled today.

We all want to live in a cohesive and harmonious Victoria, a place we can be proud of where people feel safe and included. That is the ideal Victoria Police aspires to, and we stand together with all communities in our shared journey towards achieving this.