Edited (by me) on Picnik

Harmony Day began in 1999 and since then schools, businesses, community groups andsports organizations have held more than 25000 Harmony Day events.The message for Harmony Day this year is that Everyone Belongs, which means ALL people are a welcome part of our country, regardless of their background or religion. It's also about inclusion, community participation and respect – celebrating the different cultures that make Australia a great place to live.

All cultures coming together as

one

I’m no different, I am just the same

H A R M O N Y

D A Y !!!!

O N E D A Y T O

C E L E B R A T E

C U L T U R A L

D I V E R S I T Y ....

.

B U T ,

We

s h o u l

d d o

i t

A group of Indian children,

gathered on the beach

“Everybody needs a one true friend,someone who will be there til’ the very end”.

Best friends Jye Uren & Marc Hodgson, Yr 10

Aboriginal women and a young child

NO MATTER WHO,

NO MATTER WHERE,

EVERYBODY BELONGS

Harmony Day is celebrated around Australia on 21 March each year. It's a day for us all to celebrate our cultural diversity.

This is also the United Nation's International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Victorian Students Celebrate Harmony Day

Traditional

Dancing

THEY ALL CALL AUSTRALIA HOME*

“Australia is the far off island

that saves people from their troubling lands

once people come

they call Australia home

Some of them are new

the old ones are quite a few

though they speak various mother tongues

they have their specific Australian accents

Though they bring over different heritages

they offer Australia distinct leverage

though Australia puts on some weight

their hands together lift this island from sinking

Their diversity is like their Mother’s gravity

they are pulling everyone together

ever since they come

they call Australia home.”

*Inspired by the article “Why I call Australia home”,

by Pino Saccaro, Sydney Morning Herald 26/1/98

Since the end of World War II in 1945, more than six and a half million migrants have made Australia their home.

Around 45 percent of Australians were born overseas or have at least one parent that was born overseas.

People from over 200 countries make up the Australian community.

The top ten countries of migration to Australia are:1. United Kingdom 2. New Zealand 3. China 4. Italy5.Vietnam 6. India7.Philippines 8. Greece9.Germany 10.South Africa

Australians practice more than 100 religions including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Judaism.

Apart from English the most common languages spoken in Australia are Spanish, Italian, Vietnamese, Arabic, Cantonese and Mandarin.

Even theseguys belong