By Theresia Titus
Centacare had a way of giving back to its multicultural group of students by hosting a two-day Mural Project event on 16 to 17 March at its training site in Gosnells.
Themed “We are one. We are many”, the project is a celebration of Harmony Week, which runs from 15 to 21 March every year and originated in Western Australia.
Partnering with a renowned local artist Gavin Grace, Centacare students were able to create “a lasting work of art to share the rich cultural diversity”.
The project aims to “encourage inclusiveness of different cultural backgrounds” that constitute WA community by creating a mural that represents and reflects the colours of Centacare Employment and Training “embrace the culture of art and how it can connect and empower our students from different cultural backgrounds”.
Among the guests were Centacare’s Board members Michelle Minjoot and Randa Hamze as representatives from Centrelink’s Multicultural Services Offices, as well as Ather Pervaiz and colleague as representatives from Multicultural Communities Council of WA.
With more than 180 attendees across the two-day celebration, Centacare Marketing Coordinator Jenn Ng said the project was dedicated to Centacare students.
“As a not for profit organisation that offers services to a vast group of students from every part of the world, we are proud to be celebrating the cultural diversity and inclusivity that exists among our students during Harmony Week 2020,” Ms Ng said.
“Thanks to Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural industries, we were able to provide our students with a piece of art to commemorate not only for their contribution to the mural but most importantly, celebrate the success of multiculturalism in our community.”
During the project, Gavin Grace collaborated with more than 150 Centacare students to paint at the foyer of the Organisation’s training site at Gosnells.
Mr Grace also invited Centacare Chief Executive Lee-Anne Phillips to join in and added some final touches to the painting.
Concluding his collaboration with the students, Mr Grace spoke about the mural and how he opened up to his mother tongue “as a Māori boy in Australia because it is his unique identity”, as well as reassuring students to hold onto their cultural roots and self-identities as they are adapting to the Australian way of life.
Mrs Philips expressed her gratitude to Mr Grace and his efforts for the two days, as well as thanking students and staff for taking part in the celebration.
“Harmony Week is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background,” Mrs Philips said.
“I am truly proud to witness these values being carried out by our students across all our centres, especially today.”
She also reminded the attendees of how diversity has transformed WA into a vibrant multicultural State.
Five other teacher-facilitated activities were also created to educate the students who are waiting to paint including learning traditional arts, culture, and musical instruments, playing traditional games, teaching students how to kick a footy and a fun photo booth.
By the end of the second day, the mural is partially complete and Mr Grace will return to finish it by adding four portraits of Centacare students.
Harmony Week has become the State’s annual celebration of unity in beneficial social, cultural and economic heritage brought to WA since 2003.
“The WA Government recognises how diversity has transformed WA to our vibrant multicultural State and wanted to celebrate cultural diversity by organising events over a week,” Ms Ng said.
“The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) created Harmony Week programs and offered funding to encourage communities, organisations, workplaces, colleges and universities to get involved.
“This is an opportunity for Western Australians to recognise, discuss and embrace multiculturalism,” she explained.
Starting this year, Harmony Week has become a national celebration across all Australian states.
To know more about Harmony Week, visit: https://www.omi.wa.gov.au/EventsInitiatives/Pages/HarmonyWeek.aspx