News Alert |

The Ballarat community will stand together in solidarity to celebrate Harmony Day with a special flag-raising ceremony at Queen Victoria Square on Thursday at 9am.

In the wake of the recent terrorist attack on a mosque in Christchurch, Ballarat residents from a range of diverse backgrounds, cultures and religions, will stand shoulder to shoulder on this United Nation’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which is celebrated annually on 21 March. 

The day encourages Australians to come together to reflect on and celebrate the many cultures that shape our great city. 

The colour orange symbolises Harmony Day. Traditionally, orange relates to social communication, stimulating two-way conversations. It assists in the development of new ideas and frees the spirit of limitations, giving us the freedom to be ourselves while encouraging self-respect and respect for others. 

The day also marks the anniversary of the Sharpeville massacre, which took place on 21 March 1960, resulting in the deaths of 69 South Africans participating in a peaceful protest against the apartheid regime. 

The flag-raising ceremony is one of more than 40 community events taking place across Ballarat as part of Ballarat Harmony Fest, from March 15-24. 

Harmony Fest celebrates a world of culture, music, food and dance in Ballarat. Since it was launched in 2011, Harmony Fest has become the City of Ballarat’s vibrant celebration of diversity, attracting an average of 9,000 people each year. 

With figures showing Ballarat is home to migrants from 89 different countries and almost 10 per cent of Ballarat residents were born overseas, intercultural practice is now a defining feature of our community. 

Highlights of the festival include the popular Tastes of the World event, showcasing some of Ballarat’s best restaurants, the Holi Festival of Colours on Saturday 23 March, the Rock the Block youth-led culture event on Sunday 24 March and tomorrow’s spectacular Intercultural City Gala Dinner. 

Ballarat Harmony Fest celebrations continue with the: 

Intercultural City Gala Dinner on Friday 22 March at the Mercure Convention Centre  Holi Festival of Colours – presented by the Ballarat Indian Association, this ancient Hindu festival celebrates the beginning of spring and the triumph of good over evil, at Fairyland at Lake Wendouree, on Saturday 23 March, 11am-3pm  Official opening of Murrup Laarr – new public artwork by Deanne Gilson, at North Gardens, Indigenous Sculpture Park, corner Zoo Drive and Wendouree Parade, on Saturday 23 March, 6-8pm  ‘Rock the Block’ Youth Culture Event featuring four hours of continuous stage performance on Sunday 24 March at Federation University, Lydiard Street campus, 3-7pm. 

Download the full program of events at ballarat.vic.gov.au. Hard copies are available at the Town Hall Visitor Information Centre, The Phoenix Customer Service, 25 Armstrong Street South, the Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council’s Welcome Centre, 25 Barkly Street, Bakery Hill, and all three Ballarat Libraries. 

The City of Ballarat is committed to building a culturally aware and socially cohesive community through a range of initiatives, such as Harmony Fest, the Intercultural Ambassador Program, the development of the Intercultural City Strategic Plan 2018-21 and by declaring Ballarat as a Refugee Welcome Zone. 

For more information, follow Harmony Fest on Facebook or visit ballarat.vic.gov.au