Welcome to Australia Blog

Harmony Day 2009 – March 21st.

The day for Australian’s to get together and be supportive of cultural diversity.

Source: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/

Hundreds of thousands of Australians are expected to use Harmony Day on March 21 as an opportunity to show support for the diversity and strength of their communities, the Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, Laurie Ferguson, said today.

‘Harmony Day celebrates the cohesive nature of Australia and promotes the benefits of cultural diversity, as reflected in the 2009 theme of Everyone Belongs,’ Mr Ferguson said.

So far, more than 2100 community groups, businesses, schools, government agencies and councils throughout Australia have registered events.

Harmony Day is part of the Diverse Australia Program, which helps local communities address cultural, racial and religious intolerance and works with different levels of government and community organisations to empower grassroots action.

The Diverse Australia Program provides annual funding of amounts of $5000 for small community grants and up to $50 000 for larger community relations programs and includes funding to respond to emerging issues.

Harmony Day 2009 is supported by iconic Australian organisations such as the Australian Football League, Cricket Australia, Girl Guides Australia and Scouts Australia. Valuable corporate support is being provided by Unisys, Universal McCann, HMA Blaze and Spots and Space.

The Australian Tax Office, the Australian Federal Police, Centrelink, Australia Post, the Australian Bureau of Statistics and IP Australia are among the many government agencies taking part in Harmony Day celebrations.

This year, Harmony Day will also be supported by the Scanlon Foundation’s new initiative, Taste of Harmony (March 16-22), which encourages all Australian workplaces to celebrate cultural diversity through food.

Diversity & Tolerance – What the new Council will do.

How does Australia manage it’s many nations in one?
When it comes to diversity and tolerance, this a shared areas of concern by both the Australian Government and new migrant alike.

As new migrants we were keen for confirmation that we would be well received both at work and play.

Our skills and work history are evaluated during the migration process but are tested again, when we are job seeking and entering the Australian work force.

As a family, to settle we needed to find a sense of place and belonging in our community.

Whilst this takes time and effort on our behalf and is partly down to our own ability to connect, network, socialise and communicate, seek advice, learn and grow, accept or complain…our ability to integrate is also partly reliant on the host country to be tolerant and hospitable.

The council will focus on:

• practical approaches to promoting social cohesion
• overcoming intolerance and racism in Australia
• communicating the social and economic benefits of Australia’s cultural diversity
• the inclusion of migrants in society.

Diversity & Tolerance – How is the Australian Government Managing?

Source: http://www.immi.gov.au/.

• practical approaches to promoting social cohesion
• overcoming intolerance and racism in Australia
• communicating the social and economic benefits of Australia’s cultural diversity
• the inclusion of migrants in society.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, Laurie Ferguson, said Australia’s approach to immigration and cultural diversity was a national strength.

‘Religious and cultural diversity is a permanent and valuable feature of Australian society and the make-up of the council reflects that diversity,’ Mr Ferguson said.

‘Independent advice from a council made up of experienced and knowledgeable individuals from diverse backgrounds and professional expertise in industry, community, public and private sectors will assist government in developing and strengthening policies and programs to promote social cohesion.’

The Australian Sickie Culture

I’ve heard a statistic that says last year 1 in 5 took a day off as a ’sickie’. A sickie is when you simply don’t go to work, without any formal reason.

Why -The reason for taking a sickie is typically because the person is bored, doesn’t like their job or their boss.

When – tagged on to the back of a public holiday, extreme weather conditions, major sporting events.

What is Australia Doing About this?

• Creating positive work place culture strategies.
• Asking for medical certificates.
• Checking for fair pay.
• Giving time off for parents with sick children.
• Rewarding good attendance.

What do People Do on their Day off? Catchup on sleep, house or yard work, take time out (stress/ exhaustion), take care of someone else.

An Australian Christmas

Do you hang on to your own traditions or create anew? How does Santa look in his red shorts? (cool) Some Christmas carols have been changed to go with the season… it is strange to sing about snow in 40°C heat!

Local to us, the typical Christmas day is an early start – it is summer and the sun is up. Will it be a dip in a pool or trip to the beach this year? Lunch is more often than not prawns on the BBQ or a leg of ham served with salads, beer or a chilled wine (For Red wine fans, the chilled red wine by Brown Brothers is worth trying). Turkey and trimmings does feel a bit too much in the heat!
It is also cherry season so in addition to water melon, mangoes, bananas or pineapples, it is rare to go the day without cherries.
Still in, are trees with tinsel, pretty lights and time with family & friends.