Tasmania Celebrates Harmony Day 2012
Tuesday, 20 March 2012
Joint media release with Chris Bowen MP – Minister for Immigration and Citizenship and Senator the Hon Kate Lundy – Minister for Sport, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation.
Tasmanians will tomorrow show their support for our nation's cultural diversity and successful multicultural society, coming together in celebration of Harmony Day 2012 at hundreds of events throughout the state.
Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, and Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Senator Kate Lundy, said Harmony Day is a day for all Australians to come together and reflect on what makes Australia great.
In Tasmania, more than 130 Harmony Day events have been registered for 2012, including street parties, international sports days, multicultural entertainment and ethnic food festivities.
On March 21 at Mount Nelson, Students Against Racism in conjunction with the Tasmanian Centre for Global Learning will host a day of activities which will include student presentations, dancing, a film and a curry lunch through its federally funded project, Living in Between: Diversity Education through Storytelling, at Hobart College's Olinda Grove Campus.
Meanwhile, on March 25 in Launceston, Interweave Arts will host a street party in Mowbray as part of its Meet the Street initiative, also funded through the Diversity and Social Cohesion program. Festivities will include music, dances, children's games and afternoon tea.
'Harmony Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the different cultures that make Australia a great place to live,' Mr Bowen said.
'It's a time to reflect on where Australia has come from and our shared rights and responsibilities.
'Australia's successful multicultural society is built on shared values, community participation and respect.
'The Government's commitment to multiculturalism has been strengthened by elevating the portfolio to the ministry and I look forward to continuing this important work with Minister Lundy.'
The Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Senator Kate Lundy, said this year Harmony Day was a celebration of the important role that sport plays in bringing together Australians from all walks of life.
'The 2012 Harmony Day theme of Sport-play, engage, inspire recognises the important role and positive influence that sport has in our multicultural nation,' Senator Lundy said.
'Sport brings people together to share in a mutual passion or strive for a common goal.
'Involvement in sport whether as a participant, volunteer, spectator or administrator unites people of all ages and fosters a sense of belonging, acceptance and an understanding of other cultures.
'I am pleased that this Harmony Day we're focusing on the power of sport to build bridges of understanding and respect — sport is a tremendous platform for inclusion.'
For more information on Harmony Day and the events being staged in your state or territory.
See: Harmony Day
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/parlsec/media/kl/2012/kl184395.htm
Last update: Wednesday, 21 March 2012 at 09:06 AEST