LGMA Projects & Partnerships

Harmony Day

LGMA has recently partnered with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to support and promote the 2010 Harmony Day, which falls on 21 March each year.

View Harmony Day video

Harmony Day promotes an environment in which all people see a place for themselves in Australia’s future. Harmony Day began in 1999 and each year has grown in popularity. Last year there were 4000 events in communities across the country.

Local government is ideally placed to take a leadership role in building a cohesive, multicultural society. We therefore invite your council to use Harmony Day to profile the cultural and linguistic diversity in your area, highlight the programs that help to develop successful communities and recognise residents who contribute to community harmony.

This year we are encouraging people to participate in the Australian Red Cross’ Y Challenge– celebrating diversity. This program, funded by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s Diverse Australia Program, provides councils with ideas and materials to help youth organisations run activities that reinforce respect and acceptance of other cultures.

Details of Harmony Day events throughout Australia will be available at www.harmony.gov.au. This website is also a good resource for local government speeches and media releases, and suggestions on how you might promote your involvement in Harmony Day through your publications and website.

Councils and shires can order free Harmony Day promotional items on-line at www.immi.gov.au/harmony.

Council’s can also celebrate through the A Taste of Harmony activity, this campaign utilises the sharing of food to encourage Australian workplaces to celebrate the cultural diversity of their staff. More information is available at www.tasteofharmony.org.au.

For more information on Harmony Day and the Australian Red Cross’s Y Challenge please contact the Diverse Australia Program:
Telephone: 1800 33 11 00
Email: harmonyday@immi.gov.au
Website: www.harmony.gov.au

We thank you in anticipation of your support for Harmony Day 2010.

Laurie Ferguson MP Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services	Neil Hartley National President Local Government Managers Australia