Rich cultural diversity makes city ‘wonderful’

HARMONY Fest is in full swing, celebrating and sharing everything vibrant about Ballarat’s cultural diversity until Friday, 27 March.

Launched last Thursday with a flag raising ceremony opposite the Town Hall, the festival is now in its tenth year, all about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for residents and visitors.

The two weeks will encourage people to learn about their multicultural city, and discover the diverse range of cuisines, arts, languages and lifestyles that thrive here, alongside making new friends.

Cultural ambassador and co-chair of the Ballarat Koorie Engagement Action Group, Rachel Muir said she wants her kids and theirs to enjoy a life of peace and harmony together. This is something Ms Muir’s family was denied.

“For the first 11 years of my mother’s life, she was labelled flora and fauna, not even a citizen of this country,” she said.

“She saw and heard what her grandparents and father went through. The impact of their trauma runs through me, which allows me to stand here as a staunch, respectful Koorie woman who speaks about injustices to Aboriginal people.

“I want my children to live without a need to fight these issues, and for people to respect one another no matter who you are or where you come from.”

Ms Muir is grateful to the diverse cultural groups of Ballarat for sharing new languages, food, traditions, religions and histories with their neighbours.

“Whether you’re born here, an immigrant, gypsy, migrant, refugee, newcomer, asylum seeker… You are all welcome on my land as long as you respect the land, waterways, all living, breathing things and do no harm,” she said.

“Respect each other and we all can walk together in harmony.”

City of Ballarat mayor, Cr Ben Taylor said “incredibly rich” cultural diversity makes Ballarat a “wonderful place to call home.”

“With Harmony Fest we are showcasing our cultural, linguistic and religious diversity. We know that migrants, both those new to Ballarat and those who have lived here for a longer time, face issues of isolation, connection and language,” he said.

“We believe celebration through arts, sport and cultural events can break down these barriers and build bridges of acceptance. We are all Australian and we all belong.

“At the moment, it is hard times for a lot of groups, especially for the entire Ballarat community facing the global challenges of the coronavirus, so this festival is a great opportunity to show support for everyone and stand united.”

The Harmony Fest flag flying in the middle of Sturt Street features a mandala, which is a word that comes from the Sanskrit language, meaning circle, and symbolising unity and harmony.

The festival wraps around Harmony Day, the United Nations’ international day on Saturday, 21 March and Cultural Diversity Week. A full list of Harmony Fest events is available at ballarat.vic.gov.au.