Team to bring world culture closer to home

THE City of Greater Bendigo introduced its Intercultural Ambassador team last weekend at Harmony Fair in the Dai Gum San Chinese Precinct.

The 12 community members have come together to share their culture, develop understanding and promote diversity in the region.

Their roles will include supporting events such as Harmony Day, Refugee Week and Cultural Diversity Week during their two-year term.

Mexico-born Miriam Casas said she and the team are ready to embrace the position and get to work.

“I am so excited about this role,” she said. “Simply for the chance to share culture and learn culture.

“Within the 12 of us, great ideas are happening about what we want to do together and contribute to Bendigo.”

Punjabi man Yadwinder Singh migrated to Australia in 2013 and said he was excited to share the ways of his growing local population with Bendigo.

“I really feel honoured, the reason I decided to get involved with the program was to introduce my culture to Bendigo,” he said.

“I am from a Punjabi culture which is the northern region of India and it is one of the newer cultures coming to the city.

“I thought there was a need for someone who could step into a program like this and introduce ourselves to the community.”

Malaysian-born Dr Thaera O’Brien said she was honoured to take on the position and it was important to promote diversity considering the region’s growing population.

“Bendigo in terms of migrant and refugee numbers is increasing,” she said.

“In 2016 it was around eight per cent, but last year’s census said we have almost 10 per cent of the local population born overseas.

“I think having this role in this capacity will help us contribute as well as empower the multicultural community within the region.”