Horsham to embrace cultural diversity
Horsham is set to host a variety of events to celebrate Cultural Diversity Week from March 18 to 26. Mayor Pam Clarke said Cultural Diversity Week would give residents an opportunity to celebrate all people and cultures in the community.
She said celebrating diversity and sharing customs and beliefs to nurture a community of understanding and tolerance was particularly important in a political climate of increasing fear.
“Horsham is proud to host a multitude of events which reflect the cultural diversity in our region, and enable our community to celebrate it,” she said.
Celebrations will feature three major events: Diversity Day on March 18, 30 Years of Landcare and National Harmony Day on March 21 at Horsham Town Hall and a Diversity Friendship Lunch at Grains Innovation Park on March 26.
Diversity Day activities from 1.30pm to 5.30pm will launch Cultural Diversity Week.
The event is designed as a familyfriendly day of free entertainment and food celebrating the cultural richness of the Wimmera.
It will include guest speakers and performers, Dance with Diversity, Scarf Stories: Why Is the Hijab in the headlines?, children’s activities and workshops, a craft market and a Taste of the World buffet are all part of the afternoon.
30 Years of Landcare
The 30 Years of Landcare and National Harmony Day activities will be from 5.50pm to 8.35pm and inspired by the discovery of a traditional earth oven in the Wimmera and Bruce Pascoe’s book, Dark Emu.
A question and answer session and book signing will follow a presentation by Bruce Pascoe. A Barengi Gadjin Land Council Welcome To Country smoking ceremony, Wotjobaluk traditional dance, traditional food and archaeologists’ presentation on the earth oven discovery will all be part of the evening’s program.
The HIWA and GIP Diversity Friendship will be from 11.30am to 5pm with the Wimmera community invited to celebrate the final day of the week of festivities.
Cr Clarke and guests will cover a range of topics during speeches, including women’s rights in Islam. A free Continental lunch and Mediterranean desserts will be provided following a question and answer session a panel.
Other events, including a Taste of Harmony bring-a-plate shared lunch at the Centre for Participation, a citizenship ceremony at Wesley Performing Arts Centre, and migrant tours of Horsham’s hospital, will also run throughout the week.
Tickets to all events are free but places are limited. People can book tickets for Diversity Day and 30 Years of Landcare and Harmony Day at Horsham Town Hall box office or online at horshamtownhall.com.au.
Tickets for Diversity Day are also available from Horsham Visitors Centre, Horsham Civic Centre, and Horsham, Dimboola, Edenhope, Goroke, Stawell and Warracknabeal libraries.
People keen to attend the Diversity Friendship Lunch must contact Dr Mahabubur Mollah at Mahabubur. Mollah@ecodev.vic.gov.au or 0427 331 088 to reserve tickets.
Full details on all events during Cultural Diversity Week are available at www.wda.org.au/settlement-program or www.hrcc.vic.gov.au.