March 6th, 2024Big community invite for cultural diversity lunch event

The Macedon Ranges Shire Council is inviting the community to join a special free lunch event and shared storytelling at the Kyneton Town Hall on Friday 22 March to celebrate Cultural Diversity Week.

Cultural Diversity Week is an annual state-wide celebration held in March that recognises the value cultural diversity brings to our community.  Its timing coincides with the United Nations Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21 March.

In partnership with Regional Victorians of Colour, Kyneton Community House and The Kindness Collective, the council will bring together culturally diverse people living in the community to share their stories along with information from the Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health.  

The event will also feature a lunch lovingly prepared by community chef Valme, who will bring a taste of the Philippines to the town hall.

The council’s community director, Maria Weiss, said the event reflects this year’s theme of Our Shared Stories – Celebrating Together and will be the first since the council adopted its inaugural Cultural Diversity Statement in 2023.

“Council is committed to promoting an inclusive community ensuring that people of all faiths, cultures, languages, genders and abilities are welcome and connected,” she said.

“We warmly welcome everyone to join us in this inclusive event to celebrate and reflect on the value what cultural diversity brings to our community.”

According to the latest 2021 Census data, overseas-born residents living in the Macedon Ranges form about 13 per cent of the population, with non-English speakers representing about 4.5 per cent.

The free event will be held from 11am-2pm.