A community celebration in Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast marked Harmony Week on Saturday, 21 March 2026, at the Buderim Wanderers Football Club, bringing together a mix of locally led activities that highlighted culture, creativity and connection.
Harmony Week, held from 16–22 March, includes the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
The Filipino contingent was very proud of their food stall, which sold out of halo-halo, pansit, adobong manok and baboy, lumpia, and afritada paired with rice.
The event was attended by Regional Mayor Rosanna Natoli, who expressed gratitude and appreciation for the diversity in the program, which included belly dancing, Brazilian dance, African drumming, Chinese lion dance, Indian dance, Afro-Cuban music, Thai dance, and singing performances in Russian, Filipino and Indian.
Marquees featuring arts stalls, a Dive Theatre Workshop, Indigenous First Nations Walk, weaving and nature play, face painting, ethnic wear, Sudha Jewellery, and Te Ara Tauwhiti Maori Kids further enhanced the multicultural ambience.
The Filipino community originally planned to showcase the famous Tinikling, but instead performed the Malong Dance. The photos accompanying this article capture the joy of the day, courtesy of Rosa Nicolaas, a member and long-time resident of Little Mountain, Sunshine Coast.
Harmony Week started as Harmony Day but was expanded and renamed on its 20th anniversary in Australia in 2019. It is now celebrated around 21 March each year, with strong community participation. It serves as a reminder of the values that shape Australia – diversity, inclusion and respect – which were clearly reflected in the Caloundra community on that special day.
(Dina Delfino has relocated to the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, after 41 years in Victoria. She has contributed this article. She may be contacted at edwinamdelfino@gmail.com or 0430 214 917.)
