By Mrs Michelle Xerri and Rev. Dr Katherine Rainger

Harmony Week (17 – 23 March) is a national event that celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. Almost half of Australians were either born overseas or have a parent who was. Over the past 70 years, more than seven and a half million migrants have made Australia their home. Australians identify with around 300 ancestries.

Our communities are enriched when we celebrate the strength and diversity of First Nations peoples of over 500 nations. Thursday, 20 March was National Close the Gap Day when the annual Close the Gap campaign report is delivered to demonstrate where progress has been made in reaching equality and where significant work still needs to occur.

Along with celebrating cultural diversity it is important to acknowledge the urgent work that needs to be done to combat racism wherever and whenever it arises. Harmony Day coincides with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21 March. The Department of Home Affairs, who sponsor Harmony Week, point us to the 2024 Multicultural Framework Review findings and the need to be proactive in fostering inclusive communities and combating racism, discrimination and injustice.

The ongoing message of Harmony Day is “Everyone Belongs.” Every day Radford College nurtures a community of belonging where everyone can be proud of their cultural and linguistic identity. We also foster a culture of “upstanders” who call our racism.

In 2025, the Harmony Week theme is “Harmony – we all have a role to play!” Today, on Harmony Day, Radford College enthusiastically embraced this year’s theme by playing our part in celebrating cultural diversity and bringing people together. Across the campus there were opportunities to share and embrace cultural identity, conversation, stories, songs and food through gatherings and special events.

Junior School Celebration

The Collegians Centre was awash with splashes of orange and cultural dress as our Junior School staff and students joined together to celebrate the sense of belonging found in our diverse and inclusive Radford community. The Songsters choir encouraged everyone to feel at home by embracing all backgrounds through the uplifting bilingual anthem, "Welcome Here (Bienvenidos)".

The Radford Student Council demonstrated that everyone has a role to play in building a harmonious and inclusive community through their Compassion project and Radford Reaches Out updates. Likewise, Year 6 students shared their service experiences, and the bonds forged during the recent Year 6 camp.

Radford parent and author of children’s book, Colombian Heart and Australian Soul, Mr César Álvarez, shared a message of journey, identity and belonging highlighting that cultural identity is not only formed by birthplace but also by relationships. You can read more about this wonderful book here.

Picnic on Morison Lawn

Radford Awareness and Service (RAS) students worked hard to organise events for Secondary School staff and students. They made posters, co-ordinated Harmony Day craft activities and games, and organised a picnic with a variety of food and drinks for sale. There was a great atmosphere as music played and conversations were shared.

Over the past few weeks RAS students have shared their thoughts on countries they’d like to visit, things they’ve learnt from other cultures, food they enjoy and their favourite flags. These might be good conversation starters for family dinners.