United nations get dressed to impress

Mileng Lukic and her niece Chloe Nio helped celebrate Harmony Day recently when the Endeavour Hills
HARMONY Day was celebrated in true style recently when the Endeavour Hills UnitingCare Neighbourhood Centre hosted a special event.
More than 80 people from many nationalities came together at the centre, representing the diverse cultural community of Endeavour Hills.
Participants were encouraged to dress in the national costumes of their countries of origin.
Many also brought along instruments and various items of interest to display and spoke of their cultural significance.
A meal was shared with a variety of halal and non-halal foods and even Aussie fare like lamingtons and pavlova was included.
Recipes were also available to those who wanted to try them at home.
Children from the Neighbourhood Centre’s childcare room entertained the group with songs and a boy dressed in a traditional Chinese costume performed a tiger dance, accompanied by his mother on the drums.
Centre coordinator Bev Lamont said the day was a big success and feedback had been positive.
“We had representatives from Ireland, China, Afghanistan, Turkey, Russia, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, just to name a few, and everyone seemed to have a good time.
“We even had one participant comment that “he couldn’t believe there could be people from so many different nationalities together in a room and not a cross word between them.”
Ms Lamont said the centre might be in a bit of a dilemma next year if the day continued to become more popular.
“If we get more than 100 people we won’t fit in the centre, but I guess that’s a good problem to have.”
The Harmony Day celebrations were funded as part of the centre’s Community Development Initiative for the City of Casey.
For more information about classes and activities held at the Neighbourhood Centre, phone 9700 3789 during school hours.