The Cardinia Shire Fusion Festival, held on Friday, 20 June, at the Cardinia Cultural Centre, was a resounding success.
Fusion Festival brings together the community to celebrate diversity and inclusion in honour of World Refugee Week. This vibrant and free event attracted a large crowd eager to experience the rich tapestry of cultures within the shire, represented by various food and service stalls, dynamic performances, and insightful discussions.
With the theme ’Community as a Superpower,’ the festival emphasised the power of communal bonds and celebrated the significant impact of simple acts of kindness and generosity. The annual event fosters unity within the community, showcasing how we can lift up one another through shared experiences and collective support.
Families participated in delightful hands-on activities, including a weaving workshop and a chance to explore their creativity with Lego. The magical world of puppetry came alive with a special drop-in workshop where children helped create a forest scene for the puppet show “The Wobbly Wallaby and the Absolute Bandicoot.“ Other engaging activities such as face painting, balloon art, story time, and postcard crafting encouraged interaction and fun for all ages.
The festival also featured lively performances, including the rhythmic beats of SangaTamil Kalaiyagam Percussion and the dynamic performers from the Southeast Melbourne Chin Community. These performances captivated the audience, enhancing the festival’s joyful atmosphere.
Festival-goers savoured an assortment of delicious international dishes from various food stalls, including offerings from The United African Farm, Carmello Sweets, and the Sikh Community. Guests also enjoyed complimentary treats courtesy of the Mango Tree, celebrating the rich culinary heritage of the festival participants.
A range of service stalls provided valuable resources and information to the community, including support from Casey Cardinia For Refugees, Southeast Melbourne Chin Community, Anglicare Victoria, Better Health Network, and more. These organisations offered essential services and highlighted their commitment to supporting community wellbeing.
At the conclusion of the main event a Q&A session was held featuring Barat Ali Batoor, a multi-award-winning photographer and filmmaker who shared his inspiring journey as a refugee. Batoor’s presentation included a screening of his acclaimed documentary, “Batoor: A Refugee Journey,” which struck a chord with many, deepening the understanding of the challenges faced by refugees and the importance of World Refugee Day.
Cardinia Mayor Jack Kowarzik, expressed his enthusiasm for the festival’s success.
“The 2025 Fusion festival showcased the richness of cultural diversity within Cardinia Shire while bringing families and individuals together in a shared experience of joy and connection“, said Mayor Kowarzik.
“The Fusion Festival is more than just a celebration; it’s a platform for community connection, education, and insightful conversation. This event encourages us to learn from one another and appreciate the richness of our diverse backgrounds, ultimately helping to strengthen community bonds.”
Council hosted the 2025 Fusion Festival in partnership with the Southeast Melbourne Chin Community and received support from various local organisations, including Myli, Better Health, Casey Cardinia for Refugees, Anglicare Australia, United African Farm, Australian Tamil Sangram, AfriAus Ileac, Hazara Cultural Association.
