MCG hosts Harmony Day launch
Friday, 03 February 2012
Harmony orange joined the usual sea of colour today at the Melbourne Cricket Ground when the Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Senator Kate Lundy, launched the 2012 Harmony Day campaign.
Harmony Day on March 21 is the annual celebration of Australia's diversity. More than 25 000 Harmony Day events have been staged since it began in 1999.
In launching the campaign, Senator Lundy said Australia was a proud sporting nation and the MCG was definitely a theatre of dreams for many young people.
'In 2012, Harmony Day will celebrate the important role sport plays in bringing Australians from all walks of life together to share in a common passion with the message, 'Play, engage, inspire',' Senator Lundy said.
'This year's theme pays tribute to the positive and unifying influence of sport in our proudly sport-loving multicultural nation.
'The diversity of the sports we love in this country is a reflection of the diversity of the Australian people. Every sport also possesses the unique capacity to forge communities, foster acceptance and overcome social boundaries.
'As Australians we're all members of a team—we are a team of more than 22 million people from almost every corner of the globe. It is our individual differences and our ability to make those differences work and find a common ground that makes Australia a great nation.
'With this sporting theme in mind, it is fantastic to be working with Cricket Australia to be launching the event this year before the second T20 match between Australia and India at the MCG.'
Harmony Day is about community participation, inclusiveness and respect and is a day where activities and celebrations help people learn and understand how Australians of diverse backgrounds live together.
'From today, celebrations across Australia in childcare centres, schools, community groups, churches, business, federal, state and local government agencies will provide a lead-up to Harmony Day on March 21,' Senator Lundy said.
'Last year, we had more than 6200 different events across Australia—the largest celebration of the event yet—and this year is shaping up to be even bigger.
'I hope all Australians will join with us to celebrate our diversity on Harmony Day, March 21, and remember 'Everyone Belongs'!'
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/parlsec/media/kl/2012/kl182323.htm
Last update: Monday, 06 February 2012 at 10:02 AEST