The region boasts a community of people from all over the world who contribute to making Swan Hill the best it can be, and locals have been particularly mindful of the array of backgrounds as Australia celebrates Harmony Week, which follows the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21.
The health sector is one of many local employers that benefits from the experience of a host of professionals with insights from their own backgrounds.
Emmanuele Antonio and Beverly Cook have brought their expertise to Jacaranda Lodge having grown up in the Philippines, and shared their insight into what this week means.
“Here, in Australia, I celebrate our culture with friends – whatever that celebration is, doing it together with friends helps,” Mr Antonio said.
“I have also had much joy in being able to share with my work colleagues some of our cultural dress and foods and the history of why and how we have these.
“We do this for Australia Day, and other special days and include our games.”
Mr Antonio said, to him, cultural diversity is about “being united as one and sharing what is good in your culture”.
“Habits or food and sharing with others creates a connected community,” he said.
Ms Cook said her own country of the Philippines had also adapted to waves of influence over the centuries including through Chinese, Malay and Spanish communities, just as Australia has similarly been influenced by its citizens from backgrounds from across the globe.
“Sharing with local community groups when I can helps highlight our culture such as our great foods,” Ms Cook said.
“Celebrations for us should include continuous dancing, singing and eating with much joy.”
Ms Cook also reflected on balancing her new identity with her past, and how she brings those two together.
“Within Australia now we need to be resilient,” she said.
“We need to respectfully understand our new culture and have that respect of our culture also.
“Acceptance and adjustment of our new environment, learning to be ourselves and embrace who we are and learn how to be Australian also.
“I would like people to reflect on being respectful, understanding, accepting and adjusting (where necessary).”
Ms Cook said these points are the keys to ensuring everyone feels valued for their background and included in Australia’s multicultural society.
As part of the celebrations music, entertainment and food from across the globe will be on show at Riverside Park on Saturday from 4-8pm.
There will be food stalls run by locals with delicious Indonesian, Indian, Malaysian, South Korean, Afghan, Vietnamese, Hong Kong, Mauritian and Nigerian cuisines ready to try.
The event will also feature a Welcome to Country, kids’ activities, a traditional dress parade, dancing, an Indonesian dance workshop and performance and Colombian music with Rose Paez.
