Harmony Day 2015

 

Bellingen Shire Council, the Bellingen and Urunga Neighbourhood Centres and Open Arms Care invite residents and visitors to celebrate Harmony Day at the Bellingen Community Markets on Saturday 21 March 2015.

A Welcome to Country from the traditional owners of the land, the Gumbaynggirr people, will start the celebrations, which will be followed by a diverse program of entertainment including dancing, singing, drums, pipers and instrumentals, concluding with a harmony circle on the oval.

This fabulous line up of entertainment will take place at the stage and in a separate corner of the markets close to the football scoreboard.  Everyone is encouraged to come along and wear traditional dress or orange, the colour of Harmony Day.

The message of Harmony Day is ‘Everyone Belongs’. It is a day of cultural respect for everyone who calls Australia home – from the traditional owners of the land to those who have come from many countries around the world. By participating in Harmony Day activities, we can learn and understand how all Australians from diverse backgrounds equally belong to this nation and enrich it.

Since 1999 Harmony Day has been widely celebrated across schools, childcare centres, community groups, churches, businesses, Federal, State and Local Government agencies and this year is no exception with many of these groups organising their own Harmony Day activities.

“Bellingen Shire has a rich mix of cultures within its community and the Harmony Day celebrations provide an opportunity to bring people together to celebrate diversity and tolerance in our Shire”, said Bellingen Mayor, Mark Troy.

For more information visit Bellingen Shire Council