General News
31 March, 2025
Hindmarsh community embraces harmony and diversity
The Nhill Memorial Community Centre buzzed with multicultural energy on Thursday, 20 March 2025, as about 60 people gathered to celebrate Harmony Day.
Hindmarsh Shire Council mayor Ron Ismay led the event, which recognised both Harmony Week and Cultural Diversity Week, running from March 17 to 23.
Cr Ismay introduced this year’s themes, ‘Harmony – We All Have a Role to Play’ for Harmony Week and ‘Embrace the Journey, Shape Our Future’ for Cultural Diversity Week.
He sheds light on their importance to Hindmarsh Shire and said, “I am proud that Hindmarsh Shire is a multicultural municipality with more than 30 nationalities residing within the community.”
He highlighted the strength that cultural diversity brings to the region, stating, “Our community is made stronger by our diversity, through benefits to our economy, workforce and population, but also through opportunities to learn more about the history, culture, food and traditions of our residents, our neighbours, our friends, our colleagues and our families,” he said.
“I am sure you will agree there is no place for racism, exclusion and discrimination in Hindmarsh Shire.”
The audience watched a series of short video interviews featuring local residents who now call Hindmarsh Shire home.
The videos, available on Hindmarsh Shire Council’s Facebook page, included insights from Thang Le, Santosh Reddy Aleti, Alice Maw Roe, Bruce Donnelly, Cr Chan Uoy, Tracey Rigney, Miraben and Sanjay Bharania, Robert A. Lewis, and Rekha Rani and Narsi Ram.
After the videos, Cr Chan Uoy, deputy mayor from Dimboola, shared his powerful story of emigrating from Cambodia to Australia as a young boy.
He described the struggles of learning English quickly to support his family and the racism he faced.
“This had a profound effect on me as a child coming from a country with civil unrest to a country where you were not wanted,” he said.
Despite these challenges, he worked hard through school and later studied business at university.
He eventually moved to Dimboola with his partner after falling in love with a historic former bank building, which they now call home.
Wiremu Albert Larkins, known as Lems, shared his journey from Wellington, Aotearoa (New Zealand) to Nhill.
He explained his reason for relocating by saying, ‘I moved for love.’
Lems now plays an active role in the community through St Johns Ambulance and Lowan Lodge 107 Nhill.
Members of the Horsham Karen community performed the ‘Don’ dance, the final act of the evening.
This traditional dance, created by the Pwo Karen dialect people, reinforces community values through synchronised movements and traditional Karen music.
Cr Ismay closed the event by thanking everyone who contributed to the night’s success. “We have been treated to wonderful performances and presentations, and I trust that you have all enjoyed the evening,” he added.
The 2025 Harmony Day celebrations in Nhill brought people together to share stories, embrace different cultures, and celebrate the rich diversity that strengthens Hindmarsh Shire.
