I was lucky enough to get a ticket to the NSW Premier’s Harmony dinner this week (apparently it was a sell-out with a long waiting list!). It was a fantastic celebration of multiculturalism in NSW with many of the 700+ attendees opting to proudly wear their cultural dress rather than the more traditional black tie outfit.
Premier Barry O’Farrell, the NSW Minister for Citizenship and Communities Victor Dominello and Dr Stepan Kerkyasharian AO each gave really inspiring speeches about the history of multiculturalism in NSW and awarded individuals who have gone “above and beyond” to promote multiculturalism for everyone’s benefit.
In fact the Premier told us that “NSW has one of the most culturally-diverse communities in the world.”
Not only was there some outstanding entertainment and delicious food but it was a great opportunity to talk with new and old friends about our work and the potential for collaboration to make our antiracism campaigns even stronger.
I think it’s important that anti-racists celebrate multiculturalism and cultural diversity occasionally. Anti-racism work is often intense, emotional, and hard work and I know that sometimes when I’m particularly busy I don’t take the time to have celebrate and enjoy the benefits of anti-racism! So, I hope that if you’re an anti-racist near Sydney that you join me at next year’s dinner which I’ve been told will be even bigger and better!
