Cultural Diversity Week: 20th to 27th March 2022
Victoria’s largest multicultural celebration features a week long program of festivals and events. Cultural Diversity Week is held annually in March to coincide with the United Nations Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and Harmony Day on 21 March.
The week is proudly presented by the Victorian Multicultural Commission, with support from the Victorian Government.
Cultural Diversity Week invites Victorians to embrace each other’s cultural heritage and join in the celebrations.
This year’s theme is ‘Connecting through Culture’.
Brimbank Council is hosting various events from Sunday 20 March until Sunday 27 March.
All these events are ‘no charge’ – you do not need to pay to attend.
We have an exciting calendar of events planned that focus on storytelling and sharing culture with people of every age and ability in Brimbank.
Including:
- Storytimes for Children aged 0-5 years
- Programs for Primary Aged Children
- Events for All Abilities and Ages
- Events for Adults
Djarrin Blow from ‘Cultural Infusion’ will introduce Indigenous culture to children through Dreamtime stories, songs, cultural artefacts and a performance of digeridoo as well as the stories of its origins and true name. Djarrin is an experienced culture worker whose engaging presentations delight children and adults alike.
Brimbank Libraries will offer a range of language specific and culturally themed storytime sessions. Parents and children can enjoy stories, songs and rhymes in Vietnamese and Burmese, all while learning more about the culture. Deer Park and St Albans libraries and St Albans Community Centre will be hosting all ages and abilities activities including the Paper Flowers Exhibition by Australian Vietnamese Arts, and entertainment by a local DJ and muso for Brimbank Youth.
There will also be a special screening of Palazzo Di Cozzo which follows the life of ageing patriarch Franco Cozzo, followed by a panel discussion on Tuesday 22 March from 6.30-9pm at The Bowery Theatre in St Albans.
There’s lots to experience, so come along and enjoy these ‘no charge’ Brimbank community events throughout the week.
You can find the full calendar of events on the Brimbank website.
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Storytimes for Children aged 0-5 years
Brimbank Libraries will be running their regular storytimes in Burmese, Vietnamese and English. Songs and stories will focus on celebrating culture and our diversity!
Vietnamese & English Bilingual Storytime
When: 11.15-11.45am, Monday 21 March Where: St Albans Library, 71A Alfrieda Street, St Albans.
Burmese and English Storytime at Brimbank Libraries
When: 10am – 10.30am
On Mondays: 21 March, 28 March, 4 April and 11 April.
Where: Sunshine Library, 301 Hampshire Road, Sunshine.
Preschool Storytime
Sunshine Library: Tuesday 22 March – 2-2.30pm
Deer Park Library: Wednesday 23 March – 10.30-11am
Keilor Library: Wednesday 23 March – 10.30-11am
Sydenham Library: Friday 25 March – 10.30-11am
See full list of Brimbank Libraries events here.
Programs for Primary Aged Children
Join Djarrin Blow from Cultural Infusion as he introduces children to Australia’s rich Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history through Dreamtime stories, songs, cultural artefacts and a didgeridoo performance.
When: Thursday 17 March
4.30-5.30pm
Where: Sydenham Neighbourhood House
Located above Sydenham Library
Level 1, 1 Station Street, Watergardens Town Centre, Taylors Lakes
Come along and create some fun craft inspired by other cultures at the After School Activity Zone!
Sydenham Library: Tuesday 22 March, 4-5pm
St Albans Library: Wednesday 23 March, 3.45-4.45pm
Deer Park Library: Wednesday 23 March, 4-5pm
Keilor Library: Thursday 24 March, 4-5pm
Sunshine Library: Thursday 24 March, 4-5pm
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Events for All Abilities and Ages
Family Storytime
Enjoy stories, songs and rhymes in theses all-ages family sessions.
St Albans Library: Monday 21 March, 10.30-11am
Deer Park Library: Thursday 24 March, 10.30 – 11am
Paper Flowers – Exhibition by Australian Vietnamese Arts
The Paper Flowers exhibition led by Australian Vietnamese Arts (AVA) explores cultural identity through the creation of paper flower arrangements using simple materials such as paper, straws, buttons and cotton.
When: 4 – 30 March
9am-5pm, Monday to Friday
Where: St Albans Community Centre (STACC) – Ground Floor Gallery
33 Princess Street, St Albans
Youth Event
Come join us for entertainment by a local DJ and muso as well as free tasty Avasii burgers and Monster Fried Chicken, YUM!
When: Thursday 31 March
3-5pm
Where: St Albans Square, 331 Main Road East
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Events for Adults
Intergenerational Storytelling
Join Annie Louey, Hoa Pham, John Thuy and Casey Nguyen for an intergenerational exploration of the joy and complexity of multilingual and cultural storytelling, and why we need more diverse voices in Australian writing. This event will feature a dance performance by the Australian Vietnamese Arts Association.
When: Sunday 20 March
4-5pm
Where: St Albans Community Centre (STACC), 33 Princess Street, St Albans
Palazzio Di Cozzo Screening followed by panel discussion Post-World War Two migrants that made the West
Join us for a special screening of ‘Palazzio Di Cozzo’ which follows the life of aging patriarch Franco Cozzo, followed by a panel discussion.
Discover the lives and legacies of some of the great personalities who made Melbourne’s West in this panel event with writer and director Madeleine Martiniello (Pallazzio Di Cozzo) and authors Olympia Koziaris and Joe Ribarow. Hosted by local history buff, Nick Szwed.
When: Tuesday 22 March
6.30-9pm
Where: The Bowery Theatre @ St Albans Community Centre (STACC)
33 Princess Street, St Albans
Both these events for adults are also part of the Brimbank Writers and Readers festival.
Other ways to celebrate cultural diversity in Brimbank throughout the year include:
- 14 Murals to visit in Brimbank
- Get to know Creative Brimbank and their year-wide arts and culture program
