Free flicks for Harmony Day
Wingecarribee Shire Council is celebrating Harmony Day with a free short film festival across the Shire.
Council’s Cultural Development Officer Jenny Kena explained the significance of Harmony Day.
“Harmony Day is held annually across Australia each year on March 21 and is an opportunity to celebrate our diversity,” she said. “It’s a day of cultural respect for everyone who calls Australia home – from the traditional owners of this land to those who come from many countries around the world.”
The message of Harmony Day is “Everyone Belongs” and the theme for this year’s celebrations is “Many stories – One Australia.”
“There are many ways we can celebrate Harmony Day – through sport, dance, art, film, music, storytelling, cooking and sharing cultural meals,” Ms Kena said. “By participating in Harmony Day activities we can learn and understand how all Australians from diverse backgrounds equally belong to this nation and make it a better place.
“Around seven million people have migrated to Australia since 1945 and some 45 per cent of Australians were either born overseas or have a parent who was,” said Ms Kena.
“With these statistics in mind, the organisers thought a short-film festival highlighting the diversity of cultures and nationalities that can be found throughout our towns and cities would be the perfect way to celebrate Harmony Day.”
Eight quirky short films have been chosen for the program and include Happy Country, Nonna Maria, Mohammad, Hot Bread Shop, Mary, The Tech Effect, The Lebanese Wallet and Show and Tell.
All the films are rated PG and are part of Colourfest, Australia’s Multicultural Film Festival.
The films will be screened at the Colo Vale Community Hall on Sunday March 17 from 2pm to 3.30pm, Moss Vale Civic Centre Theatrette on Thursday 21 March from 5pm to 6.30pm and the Robertson Community Technology Centre (CTC) on Sunday 24 March from 2pm to 3.30pm.
Light refreshments will be served following the free screenings.
Wingecarribee Shire’s Harmony Day celebrations have been organised by the ‘Friends of Diversity’ and sponsored by Macarthur Diversity Services and Wingecarribee Shire Council.
Residents wishing to attend are asked to contact Council’s Cultural Development Officer to assist with catering prior to attendance on phone 4868 0855 or via email at jenny.kena@wsc.nsw.gov.au
For further information visit www.harmony.gov.au