Meeting place for diversity and inclusivity

THE Ballarat Intercultural Garden was opened earlier this week to celebrate the diversity of the city.

The space at the corner of Pleasant and Sturt streets is designed to bring people of all cultures together.

The garden is open to all community members to meet, connect, share stories and mark important cultural events such as Christmas, Diwali, Ramadan, NAIDOC Week, Lunar New Year and others, and was developed with the input of the City of Ballarat’s Intercultural Advisory Committee and grassroots groups.

“We look on with pride at the work and creation of the City of Ballarat gardening team, and the displays they will make to honour celebrations such as NAIDOC Week, Diwali, Lunar New Year, Ramadan, and many more other cultural events on this beautiful corner display,” said Intercultural Advisory Committee member Meeta Narsi.

“We look forward to seeing those, and the artwork on the arts plinth.

“Most importantly, the Intercultural Garden will be an area for families and friends from all corners of the world to gather here and to create memories.”

As well as an arts display plinth, the project includes a circular display garden, other plantings, a community flagpole, a picnic shelter and park furniture, connecting paths, and a drinking fountain.

“This has been a decade in the making…and it’s worth the wait,” said Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council CEO Suzanne Ryan-Evers

“This garden is a connection point for multicultural people.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what happens here.”

The 2021 Census indicated Ballarat was home to about 8000 people from non-English speaking backgrounds and had almost 13,000 residents born overseas.