Harmony Week walk to enhance the significance of diversity

BASS Coast Adult Learning Centre (BCAL) led Monday’s Harmony Week walk to emphasise the importance of celebrating diversity and inclusion in the community. Organiser Maddy Harford of BCAL deliberated the idea of organizations and schools coming together to celebrate diversity.

In a collaborative approach by BCAL, Refugee Sponsorship Group, Multicultural Women’s Group, Bass Coast Shire Council, Bass Coast Reconciliation Group, and Friends of the State Coal Mine; together they welcomed the community to Wishart Reserve, Wonthaggi for a Welcome to Country smoking ceremony, before walking down McBride Avenue to Wonthaggi Neighbourhood Centre at Mitchell House for a multicultural lunch.

Maddy Harford officially thanked the community for their attendance, stating the significance of bringing something from their own cultural background to the multicultural lunch, and highlighting the importance of cultural exchange and appreciation.

Maddy then welcomed Bass Coast Shire Mayor Cr Clare Le Serve for her address. Cr Le Serve shared what a great gathering of people. “We are here for Harmony Day, and this coincides with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.”

“Harmony Day exists to promote a singular and unifying notion of “Australian-ness” within multicultural policy,” said Cr Le Serve.

“We have experienced waves of new arrivals over many decades. We are a kind and inclusive community, and I’d like to thank everyone for participating in this very important day.”

Moo Kyi and her family moved from Thailand to Wonthaggi 12 years ago and on Monday afternoon, Moo shared part of her story, stating how welcoming the community at BCAL and Mitchell House have been for her and her family.

Moo was a student at BCAL where she studied to work in Aged Care. “I have now worked at Rose Lodge for the past five years and am currently doing further study to become a registered nurse.”

Moo’s family still take classes at BCAL twice a week, and Moo is a member of the Multicultural Women’s Group at Wonthaggi Neighbourhood Centre at Mitchell House where the group welcome women of all cultures to join each Thursday morning from 10:30am until 12:30pm.

“Harmony Week is about bringing our cultures together,” says Moo.

Stella Hitchin’s of the Men’s Shed led the walk with fellow community members and shared how grateful she is to be a part of a town that welcomes refugees.

“We have two refugee families that are a part of the local Wonthaggi Harvest Centre, and together they share their culture, their food and their stories, and it’s wonderful to see our community embrace them,” said Stella.

The ABC Back Roads program presented by journalist Heather Ewart were filming in Wonthaggi and may present the Harmony Week celebration as part of their story on migrants, among other narratives.