Councils across the country are feasting, celebrating and welcoming new residents as part of this year’s national Harmony Day.
The day is held annually on 21 March to coincide with United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
The City of Darwin has celebrated by hosting its largest citizenship ceremony for the year.
Lord Mayor Katrina Fong Lim attended the ceremony to welcome 200 new Australian citizens from 33 different countries.
In the nation’s capital a feast was held at Bimberi Youth Justice Centre.
ACT Minister for Children and Young People Chris Bourke joined young people and staff for a traditional Hangi lunch.
“Food has always been a great way to bring people together and the Hangi cooked up at Bimberi today was no exception,” Dr Bourke said.
“We had people of different ages and backgrounds coming together in Canberra over a traditional Pacific Island meal, a fantastic way to celebrate Harmony Day.”
As well as the meal, young people at Bimberi marked Harmony Day by learning about different cultures and the value of respecting different cultures.
“This kind of engagement is one of the examples of how Bimberi – and indeed our broader youth justice system – is doing good work in supporting young people,” Dr Bourke said.
In Victoria, Mildura Rural City Council is displaying banners to promote the City’s continued commitment as a Refugee Welcome Zone and this morning also unveiled plaques honouring the traditional indigenous land owners.
Arts and Culture portfolio Councillor Jill Joslyn said Harmony Day is important to the municipality, which has over 70 different nationalities represented locally.
“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,” Cr Joslyn said.
