Celebrating cultural diversity and harmony

Published on 21 March 2016

With over 70 different nationalities represented locally, Cultural Diversity Week and Harmony Day are both important dates on the Mildura Rural City Council calendar and this year, Council is celebrating by displaying new welcome banners in Mildura’s CBD.

Many residents might not realise Mildura Rural City Council became an official Refugee Welcome Zone in 2002.  Arts and Culture portfolio Councillor Jill Joslyn said this is a great time to remind people of the importance of our migrant communities. 

“Refugee Welcome Zones are found in regions where the community commits to welcoming and supporting refugees,” Cr Joslyn said.

“It’s about acknowledging the skills these people bring with them and the social contributions they make to enrich our lives in so many areas.  We need to remember that while many refugees are fleeing seemingly hopeless situations in their homelands, their arrival in countries such as ours gives them renewed positivity and renewed hope for their future.”

Cultural Diversity Week is coordinated by the Victorian Multicultural Commission and coincides with the United Nations Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the Australian Government’s Harmony Day on 21 March 2016.

“To celebrate Cultural Diversity Week and Harmony Day, we are displaying welcome banners in the Mildura CBD,” Cr Joslyn said.  “We have also commissioned brass plaques to display on the three Council Service Centres to permanently acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of our land.”

These Acknowledgement of Country plaques were officially unveiled this morning.

“We have an amazing multicultural community and I am proud of the passion I see from local people when it comes to helping new Australians find a safe haven locally and to developing and strengthening the relationships with our First Peoples.”

ENDS