The Grampians/Gariwerd Rural Australians for Refugees and the Ararat Rural City Council are partnering together to deliver an Ararat Rural Harmony Day event on Saturday, 16 March 2024 at Ararat College from 10am to 1pm.
The community, families and children are invited to celebrate the diversity of cultures in Ararat. The event will include cultural performances, food and workshops.
Ararat has seen a number of new and emerging communities begin to establish as a result of several migration projects and initiatives over the last 3 years. One of these is the Regional Workforce Pilot that commenced in 2022, which has settled over 12 Karen families from Wyndham to Ararat.
Another is the introduction of the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme by local employers.
The Ararat Rural Harmony Day 2024 is supported by the Victorian Government’s Multicultural Festivals and Events Program.
Mayor, Bob Sanders said, “We are very pleased to partner with the Grampians/Gariwerd Rural Australians for Refugees to deliver this celebration of cultures in Ararat.
Thank you to the Victorian Government for their funding support. Events like these demonstrate that the Ararat Rural City is an inclusive and diverse community, which helps us to grow and become a more vibrant society.
Being a welcoming community that embraces people from all backgrounds and walks of life will enrich our people and lifestyles, while strengthening our local businesses, economy and our region.”
Harry Collins, President of the Grampians/Gariwerd Rural Australians for Refugees said, “This event highlights how we can live in harmony and celebrate each other's cultures and traditions in the lead up to the annual United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21 March.
The event contributes to our work to support and assist former and current asylum seekers and refugees, as well as other vulnerable migrants, who have settled in the Grampians and Ararat region.”
For more information about the event please contact Anita Paula San Ba, Settlement and Community Support Officer on 5355 0200.