HARMONY Day once again delivered a fantastic array of design, flavour and family fun to Swan Hill crowds at the weekend.
Long lines of people waited for delicious dishes from Mauritius, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Korea, India and Vietnam, while the Sikh society who ran the Indian stall generously donated their profit for the day to Swan Hill District Health.
The day began with a welcome to country, smoking ceremony and a stunning performance from the Aboriginal dance group to acknowledge the Wamba Wamba lands on which the event took place.
There was also a skilled display of Indonesian dancing from Santi Sherry and her students, a Sh’Bam dance class and the Vietnamese Cool Kids were back on stage to impress.
Echuca Discoveries were also a crowd favourite with a few song-and-dance numbers and then it was time for the traditional dress parade.
The youngest member to walk down the catwalk (or rather be carried) was young 10-month-old Lionel who looked very cute in his áo dài – a traditional Vietnamese garment.
Members of the Fijian community also performed and got everyone up off their feet and dancing, as did the Colombian singer Rose Páez.
Compares Archana Patney and headspace’s Kirsty Jacobs explained how the event was close to their hearts.
Ms Jacobs was born and initially raised in South Africa before moving to western Sydney as a youngster.
“Diversity and inclusion are a real passion of mine,” she told the crowds.
Meanwhile Ms Patney, a local teacher, said this would be her 16th year in Swan Hill, and said it was the kind of place she knew she wanted to call home.
The organisers also paid tribute to the late Jill Pattenden who was a keen force behind the event in previous years.
Councillor Nicole McKay called Jill an “amazing leader in the Swan Hill community and in life”.
“It’s difficult to imagine this event being done without her,” she said before giving three cheers for Jill.
