7 March 2013

Strathfield Council will celebrate Harmony Day and embrace the area’s cultural diversity with a fun family day out on Saturday 16 March at Airey Park, Homebush.

Harmony Day is marked each year on March 21 and is managed by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and coincides with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

The message of Harmony Day is Everyone Belongs – it is a day to celebrate Australia’s diversity and to spread a message of cultural respect for everyone who calls Australia home.

The free Harmony Day activities from 10am – 3pm will include a jumping castle, animal farm, plaster painting, Korean Kite making workshop and flight trial, an AFL clinic, Taekwondo demonstrations as well as a free barbecue from 12noon to 2pm with a range of foods to try.

The activities will also mark International Women’s Day (8 March) with a Zumba class at 12noon and community service information for women’s support groups.

The Harmony Day event will also welcome local community service organisation, Metro Migrant Resource Centre (Metro MRC) to their new premises at the Strathfield Community Centre (within Airey Park). Metro MRC will be available to support the needs of the diverse Strathfield and Inner West community from this site.

The event will be opened by the Minister for Citizenship and Communities, and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Victor Dominello at 11am.

Mayor of Strathfield, Cr Gulian Vaccari noted the importance of days like this to Strathfield.

“Harmony Day is great time to look at the many various cultures and people that call Strathfield and its suburbs home and acknowledge the contribution those cultures make. This is a fantastic family fun day which shows off the community pride and harmony here in Strathfield, “Cr Vaccari said.