What does the ‘Harmony Day’ mean to me?

What does the ‘Harmony Day’ mean to me?

After growing up in conservative, ‘big country town’ Adelaide, I loved visiting my family on Kangaroo Island and mixing with the international guests staying at Ellson’s Seaview Motel. They told interesting stories, looked different, sounded different and seemed so much more fascinating than the ‘twin set and pearls’ brigade that was more familiar to me.

I remember in high school how children with Italian parents could not go out with children of Greek parents. How Catholics were not allowed to marry Protestants. Worse still, that awful comment ‘spot the Aussie’ when there were many people of a non-Caucasian background in the one location. Or the insulting, he couldn’t get an Aussie woman so he married an Asian.

So you can imagine how excited I was to come to Multicultural Melbourne in 1994. Despite not recognizing anyone for months (until I spotted a well known television actor), feeling as though everyone was staring at me and being struck by the overwhelming presence of black clothing, I felt more at home here than I ever did in Adelaide.

Six years later, I had a surprise birthday party and I looked around the room at all of my multicultural friends and I burst into tears – these people were my second family and I loved them just as much as my own family.

So I continue to support diversity in Australia in everything that I do. Moving to a new country and changing your life is the ‘last frontier’ left to us as human beings. So many things have been achieved and added to the record books, but choosing to live in a new country requires guts, courage and the ability to face constant challenges and rejection.

But what got me through my own transition was a woman who had also moved (albeit another Australian from Queensland via Canberra to Melbourne). She knew how hard it was to relocate and after 10 years of research, service and stories, I know that the most critical ingredient to success in a new location is friends. They make you feel as if you belong.

Our civilized, western, mostly secular and democratic culture understands the need for all people to belong and for everyone to get along. In Australia, we really are the lucky country and this constant mixing of cultures enables us all to see new perspectives, challenge our thinking and strive for a better life for our children. For me, it is peace on earth. That is the beauty and charm of diversity. Long may it continue.

But on our journey ahead, let us celebrate the successes but also seek new ways to capitalize on our strengths. The media still has an important role to play. Our society is shaped by thought and opinion leaders who get ‘air time.’ Labels are something that have been placed on people for way too long.

It is hard to believe that 100 years ago, people with disabilities were hidden from society. Now buses carry wheelchairs. People of different faiths have fought wars against each other – and yet Australia will host the World Parliament of Religions. The first migrants to Australia killed many Indigenous Australians and more recent migrants have instigated programs of respect and care for the original custodians of our land.

I believe that the increased diversity in Australia has helped remove labels from many people. The only label I want is that of my own name. I proudly declare that I am a Victorian, Australian, from South Australia and thanks to my education and technology, I am a citizen of the world.

All of us have the right to be who we are (within the laws of the country we live in). I don’t want labels. I want friends. I want harmony and peace. I want respect and dignity. And lastly, I want everyone to feel that they really do belong.

What can you do for yourself and for your neighbour to ensure that ‘everyone belongs’? Once you get the idea, DO something about it. And enjoy Harmony Day on Saturday 21 March 2009.

(686) words

Sue Ellson BBus AIMM MAHRI
Founder and Director, Newcomers Network http://www.newcomersnetwork.com

Supporter of Diverse Australia Program http://www.newcomersnetwork.com/advertise/diverse_australia_program_everyone_belongs_harmony_day.php

Sue Ellson first started supporting the Australian Government’s Living in Harmony initiative back in 2003. With the change of government, it has been changed to the ‘Diverse Australia Program.’

With humble beginnings 10 years ago, these programs have had a focus on reducing racism – and Sue is pleased to see the new direction towards the key message of ‘Everyone Belongs' and celebrating Harmony Day on Saturday 21 March 2009.