The community is invited to a Cultural Showcase Lunch to be held on Saturday 6 December from 12pm to 2pm at the Alexandra Oval Community Centre in Ararat.
The free, family-friendly event aims to bring residents - new and long-standing - together to celebrate cultural diversity across our region and to strengthen community connections.
There'll be traditional music and dance performances by the local multicultural community, who will also be cooking delicious food from around the world including flavours from India. Keeping the kids busy will be art and craft activities, fairy floss and face painting.
The event is being organised by Grampians Gariwerd Rural Australians for Refugees (RAR) and Ararat Neighbourhood House, with support from Ararat Rural City Council and the Victorian Government.
Council continues to strengthen community connections through its Settlement Services, supporting migrants and refugees as they build their new lives in the region. Council also delivers a dedicated CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) service, helping CALD families settle into the community, with a focus on connecting pre-school aged children to early learning opportunities.
Mayor Cr Bob Sanders said the Ararat Cultural Showcase Lunch was a valuable opportunity to celebrate the diversity that enriches the Ararat region.
"Whether you've lived here your whole life or newly arrived, you're part of our community," said Cr Sanders. "This event is a great chance to share a great food from other cultures, enjoy some music and meet new people. We're proud of our cultural mix, and it's days like this that really show what makes our region such a welcoming place."
