Harmony Day – Mufti Day

Harmony Day is a day to celebrate Australian multiculturalism, based on the successful integration of migrants into our community.  Australia is the most successful multicultural country on earth and this year Australia is celebrating Harmony Day on the 21^st of March 2019.

During Primary Chapel on Thursday, the Chaplains have organised a program to coincide with this event. Other school commitments will prevent a greater focus on the Thursday, but we will continue the celebration of this event on the 22^nd of March, by having a Mufti Day, with children dressing in their cultural dress or in something predominantly orange, which represents Harmony Day.  Traditionally, orange signifies social communication and meaningful conversations.  It relates to freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect.  By wearing something orange on this day, we will show our support for cultural diversity and an inclusive Australia.

Harmony Day is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values.

Some fascinating statistics about Australia’s diversity:

• nearly half (49 per cent) of Australians were born overseas or have at least one parent who was
• we identify with over 300 ancestries
• since 1945, more than 7.5 million people have migrated to Australia
• 85 per cent of Australians agree multiculturalism has been good for Australia
• apart from English, the most common languages spoken in Australia are Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Italian, Greek, Tagalog/Filipino, Hindi, Spanish and Punjabi
• more than 70 Indigenous languages are spoken in Australia.

(These facts are taken from ABS 2016 Census Data. Check out the Australian Bureau of Statistics website.)

Gold Coin donations on this day will assist with school projects arranged by our Chaplaincy Department that promote multiculturalism.