On Song to Celebrate Big cultural Diversity

Canterbury Deputy Mayor Khodr Saleh and State MP for Lakemba, Jihad Dib, enjoy the Harmony Day celebrations at Campsie.

FAMILIES and friends have joined dignitaries and guests at the Orion Centre, Campsie, for a day of cultural diversity to mark Harmony Day.
This year was the 10th anniversary of the Canterbury civic event which is organised annually by the Canterbury Harmony Group under the guidance of the president of the group, Canterbury Deputy Mayor Khodr Saleh.
The Canterbury Harmony Group represents 16 diverse community groups, and the Central Sydney South Regional Participation Service. In addition, a variety of celebratory activities took place within local schools and cultural organisations.
Harmony Day has now become an international event, which coincides with the United Nations Elimination of Racial Discrimination Day on March 23.
Canterbury Mayor Brian Robson spoke about the diversity of cultures, saying that 157 countries were represented across Canterbury and that he personally had the pleasure of signing residency certificates for people from over 130 countries. Federal MP for Watson, Tony Burke, and Cr Saleh presented various awards for community and for promoting tolerance, with cultural groups, including the recently-formed Payce-sponsored Riverwood Community Choir, the Riverwood Chinese Dancing Group and the Vietnamese Dancing Group, providing entertainment.
Schools presented dance spanning Polynesia, the Middle East and India. Wiley Park High girlsl performed traditional Islamic dances, while the boys performed a spectacular haka.