Community
21 February, 2025
Local performers sought for festival
THIS year’s multicultural festival is set to return even bigger and better than before.
Current organiser Daisy Ye is passionate about community connection and is working hard, alongside fellow volunteers, to ensure this year’s festival provides a vital connection between migrants and refugees to various multicultural groups.
“Last year’s event had a record-breaking turnout, which was very heart warming and I’m hoping this year’s will be just as successful,” she said.
“The festival allows Warrnambool to come together to celebrate multiculturism in full force.
“We are working towards a future where cultural diversity and multiculturalism is fully embraced and celebrated.”
While the exact date is yet to be finalised, it is anticipated the festival will again be held in October.
And Daisy would like to see it become a three-day celebration.
“It would be wonderful if we could have a forum on the Thursday and Friday nights and then the festival all day Saturday,” she said.
“This scenario has worked well in Apollo Bay and I’m sure it could work well in Warrnambool too.”
While Daisy has become the driving force behind the multicultural festival, she said she was hoping a planning committee could soon be formed, with various volunteers appointed to roles within the group.
“It would be wonderful to have a strong working committee, along with a program coordinator, a market stall coordinator; there’s plenty of roles so we would welcome all volunteers.”
Multicultural groups across the district eager to participate in this year’s festival are urged to contact the Warrnambool Multicultural Association to lodge their expression of interest.
In conjunction with planning the multicultural festival, the association is also seeking community input into its strategic planning survey.
“Thanks to the Fletcher Jones Family Foundation, we are now aiming to develop a three to five year strategic plan and we’re seeking community input on how our volunteer-led group can best promote and celebrate cultural diversity in Warrnambool and surrounding regions,” Daisy said.
“How can we strengthen multiculturalism in our community? What initiatives matter most to you?
“We are here and we are listening to the needs of our residents. We want to bridge that gap between residents and multicultural groups to make sure everyone feels like they belong.”
The short survey, which involves answering just five questions, will be open until 5pm next Friday, February 28.
To complete the survey simply head to https://forms.gle/ZTvCyJP7p8Gi95Zr9.
