From stories to meals, music to traditions, March in Camden is a celebration of the many cultures that call our community home as Council gears up to celebrate Multicultural March.
Multicultural March is a NSW Government initiative that celebrates the rich cultural diversity of our community and encourages everyone to play an active role in our shared social and economic life. Running from Sunday 1 March to Tuesday 31 March, the month-long program recognises the contributions of cultures from around the world and features a range of events and activities across the community.
A key highlight is Harmony Day on Saturday 21 March. An initiative of the Federal Government, Harmony Day is a chance for all Australians to celebrate our cultural diversity, stand against racism and reaffirm the values of respect, inclusion and belonging.
Harmony Day falls within Harmony Week, which runs from Monday 16 to Sunday 22 March.
This year's theme, "Everyone Belongs", reinforces the importance of embracing multiculturalism and ensuring all people feel valued, regardless of their background. During the week, residents will see banners and visual displays promoting inclusion and cultural diversity at Narellan, Oran Park and Camden Libraries, as well as Council's Administration Building.
Initiatives that will be delivered over the course of the month include:
- Online Harmony Week Awareness and Education Campaign, raising awareness about Harmony Week and the significance of the colour orange, on Monday 16 to Sunday 22 March, online via Council's digital channels;
- Paint the Town REaD Cultural Book List, sharing a culturally themed Storytime booklist with children and families, throughout March during Storytime sessions, at Camden Libraries;
- Multicultural March @ Camden Libraries, delivering harmony-themed Storytime sessions for children aged between three and five years, on Monday 16 to Sunday 22 March, at the 11am sessions of Storytime at Narellan Library (Mon, Wed, Fri); Oran Park Library (Mon,
Wed); Camden Library (Tue, Thu);
- English Conversation Classes, supporting residents to improve everyday English conversation skills in an informal setting, on every Tuesday, 10am-noon, at Oran Park Library;
- Youth Community BBQ, connecting young people with local Youth Services in a relaxed drop-in setting with halal options available, on Wednesday 18 March, 3.30pm, at Julia Reserve Youth and Community Centre, Oran Park;
- Camden Cultures Dinner and Concert, celebrating Camden's cultural diversity through food, music and performances, on Friday 27 March, 6.30-9pm, at Camden Civic Centre;
- Cyber Trivia Time for Seniors, a trivia event featuring cyber awareness themes, prizes and refreshments, on Thursday 19 March, 10.30am-1.30pm, at Camden Civic Centre;
- Outdoor Explorers Multicultural Playgroup, a multicultural playgroup for children aged up to five years featuring sensory play, arts, crafts and movement activities, on every Thursday, 9.30-11.30am, at Curry Reserve, Elderslie; and
- Camden/Kashiwa Online Exchange, providing residents with the opportunity to connect with Kashiwa and exchange cultural experiences online, on Friday 20 March, 3-5pm. This exchange will be streamed both in Council's mini chambers, with the opportunity to join remotely, with a Zoom link to be shared with registered participants closer to the date.
A key highlight is Harmony Day on Saturday 21 March. An initiative of the Federal Government, Harmony Day is a chance for all Australians to celebrate our cultural diversity, stand against racism and reaffirm the values of respect, inclusion and belonging.
Mayor of Camden, Cr Therese Fedeli, said she was proud of Council's support of cultural diversity in the local community.
"We are so incredibly lucky to have such a beautiful and diverse community here in Camden," she said.
"Our residents have ancestry from more than 128 different cultural backgrounds; they hail from more than 99 birthplaces across the world; speak more than 85 languages in our homes; and observe more than 40 different religions.
"The contributions all these different cultures, religions and traditions have had on our local community and indeed on the country as a whole is immeasurable. We have all benefitted from our differences that come together so beautifully."
For more information about any of these initiatives, and to register your attendance, visit Multicultural March and Harmony Day Activities " Camden Council
