Salisbury’s unity through diversity
With at least 35% of its population born outside Australia, the City is brimming with culture, cuisine, languages, and faiths. In fact, there are over 70 languages spoken here and more than 30 different faiths practiced.
Diversity is a big part of Salisbury life. That’s why each year, the City of Salisbury hosts a range of events, programs and initiatives to help our community connect.
Recently Council partnered with the Salisbury Intercultural Strategic Alliance (SISA), which includes organisations like the Australian Migrant Resource Centre and Australian Refugee Association, to host a special event to celebrate Refugee Week.
Local residents with refugee experience were invited to connect with our Mayor and Elected Members over afternoon tea, with the purpose of developing positive relationships between the community and local government.
Mayor Gillian Aldridge OAM shared her enthusiasm for the collaboration, expressing,
‘It’s important to us to host events like this, to make sure that new members of our community feel at home in our community.
‘We want make sure they know that they enrich our City by bringing culture and a wealth of knowledge to it, which has helped develop who we are today – a fabulous Salisbury!’
The sentiments were shared by Michelle Dieu, senior manager of the Northern Area Migrant Resource Centre, who was involved in the event and addressed the significance of Refugee Week celebrations.
‘Refugee Week events highlight global refugee issues and celebrate the positive contributions of Australia's new and emerging communities to our cultural, social, and economic development,’ said Michelle.
Guests had a wonderful time enjoying mouth-watering treats, organised through a collaboration with the Australian Refugee Association's BOOST program, which supports people with refugee experience to establish catering businesses.
For many attendees, it was a chance to share their stories with local government representatives who, in turn, embraced the opportunity to listen and learn from the community with lived experience.
To find more information on Intercultural initiatives in the City of Salisbury, visit www.salisbury.sa.gov.au/intercultural