Mayor's Message - 19 March 2019

Published on 19 March 2019

Devonport will celebrate Harmony Day on Thursday with cultural activities in Market Square.

Harmony Day celebrates the nation’s cultural diversity and coincides with the United Nation’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

It is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of their cultural or linguistic background.

This is the first year that Council has delivered Street Eats with a multicultural theme as part of the day, which was first celebrated in Australia in 1999.

It is an event for the whole community and a chance to get together with friends and family and recognise our diversity, both as a nation and as the people of Devonport.

And, Devonport is truly fortunate to have so many people from different cultures sharing our city and the cultural and religious traditions they have brought with them from their homeland certainly enrich life within the city.

Thursday’s celebrations will begin with a Citizenship Ceremony at 4 p.m., a range of food vendors will offer different international cuisine and activities for all ages along with dance and entertainment in the Square and the Devonport Regional Gallery’s Creative Space.

 Activities for all ages that will run through until 7pm.

Six residents – from Italy, Vietnam, the United Kingdom, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Mauritius – will be welcomed as Australian citizens at the ceremony. I always enjoy conducting these ceremonies as I consider it a real privilege to welcome new citizens to our community.

A paper flower making workshop will be held in the Creative Space in the Devonport Regional Gallery. Those attending will also be able to view the Holi Display created by local community members, listen to stories about the Holi Festival and learn how to make paper flowers to take home.

Harmony Day is an excellent opportunity for residents to celebrate the diversity of the city so come along, celebrate with our new citizens, try some food you may not have tasted before and join in the activities.

Cr Annette Rockliff

Mayor