Excitement is building for Dubbo’s annual multicultural festival, with Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders announcing $15,000 from the NSW Government to support the event.
Orana Residents of Indian Sub-Continental Heritage (ORISCON) received the maximum possible funding through Round 2 of Multicultural NSW’s Stronger Together Grants Program.
Mr Saunders said planning is well underway for the event’s sixth edition, which is set to take place in May.
“The Cross-Cultural Celebration is always a fantastic evening, with delicious aromas and vibrant music and colours filling Victoria Park,” Mr Saunders said.
“It’s wonderful that people from so many diverse backgrounds have all chosen to make Dubbo their home.
“The festival is an opportunity for them to share their culture with their new community, and for us to embrace them with open arms!”
As well as the usual food stalls and demonstrations, the annual festival also includes multi-language booths, traditional dress and cultural interactions through music, dance and plays.
ORISCON Chairperson Mano Manorathan said the grant recognises Dubbo’s thriving multicultural community.
“When I remember back to when I first came out to Dubbo 24 years ago, there were very few multicultural people here,” Mr Manorathan said.
“Now we have a lot of people from so many different countries.
“It shows we can attract and sustain a strong multicultural community, and it shows everyone can live cohesively and learn from each other – not just in terms of the culture, but in terms of the way they think and work – and the region will prosper as a result.
“Thanks to Dugald and the NSW Government for their continued support.”