16 March 2009
Peter Dutton MP is encouraging the community to celebrate our special diversity and tolerance in Dickson by celebrating Harmony Day on Saturday 21 March.
Harmony Day promotes respect, fairness and a sense of inclusion for all members of the Australian community.
“It is important to take time to recognise the culturally diverse communities we have in Dickson and celebrate and respect each others histories,” Mr Dutton said.
“Some of our population are descendants of the earliest British settlers, some came from the gold rushes and others were part of the great migrations of the early and mid 20th centuries.
“We are fortunate to live in one of the most ethnically and racially diverse regions of rural Australia and have been a location of choice for generations of new settlers from Britain, Europe, Middle East, Asia, Africa, the pacific and New Zealand.”
Mr Dutton said the Diverse Australia Program aims to stamp out any cultural, racial and religious intolerance, while promoting the benefits of cultural diversity.
“The Diverse Australia Program has included a Small Community Grants designed to combat any racism at a community level.”
“The grants of up to $5000 will help provide additional resources for groups such as schools, not for profit organisations, service clubs, sporting bodies, ethnic communities, youth organisation and local government to develop projects that help build stronger community relations,” he said.
“The program is also offering Emerging Issues Funding to promote intolerance where communities identify a need.
Application closing date details for Small Community Grants and the Emerging Issues Funding are not yet available.
“Anyone seeking to lodge a grant application can contact my office to go onto a register to be kept informed of details,” Mr Dutton said.
“Join in a Harmony Day event near you or alternatively if you wish to run your own Harmony Day event or would like more information visit the Harmony Day website www.harmony.gov.au .”