Carlton Harmony Day welcomes everyone

The Carlton Community Network (CCN), a membership organisation of more than 50 community agencies and services in Carlton, presents this year’s Harmony Day celebration on Saturday, March 26, at the Carlton Primary School.

Community development manager at Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre, Elle Morrell, said, “Harmony Day is about recognising cultural diversity.”

“With 57 per cent of Carlton’s population speaking English as a second language at home, the day is about bringing the community together and also acknowledging that racism is not welcome in Carlton,” Ms Morrell said.

The festival is designed as a family-friendly day for the Carlton community.

Carlton Primary School is located at the corner of Rathdowne and Palmerson streets and the Harmony Day festival will run from 11am to 3pm

There will be food, entertainment and along with children’s activities, local residents will create henna art and face painting for the youngsters and will run a soccer competition.

There will be art and craft stalls and the YMCA is planning on providing skateboard lessons for the older kids.

With support from the City of Melbourne, the Rotary Club of Carlton, the University of Melbourne and the Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre, the day is shaping up to “make our world a better place.”

A Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony will herald the day’s proceedings, while Federal MP for Melbourne Adam Brandt will officially open the day.

It is a free event held undercover on the primary school’s basketball court, so the weather will not hold up the planned fun, food and activities.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp and Victorian Greens MP Ellen Sandell will also be speaking.

“While we haven’t held Harmony Day over the past two years, due to COVID, we are hoping to host around 1000 people on the day,” Ms Morrell said.

“It’s a really important opportunity to bring everyone together after the lockdowns and to have fun and catch up,” she said.

Local bands and singers will keep the rhythm going throughout the day with music and songs.

CCN has run the event for the past 15 years with the help of local volunteers and organisations.

Everyone Belongs, the theme for 2022 Harmony Day, celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.

In 1998, the federal government conducted a study into the nature of racism, which resulted in the recognition of a greater need for living in harmony. One year later, March 21 was declared Harmony Day in Australia, coinciding with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.