After COVID-19 restrictions forced the cancellation of celebrations last year, the North East Multicultural Association (NEMA) is excited to be able to be announce this year's event will take place on the Lake Benalla foreshore.
NEMA president Su Ingleton said on Saturday, March 20 from noon until 4 pm people would have the opportunity to discover more about the cultural heritage of their friends and neighbours.
“Bring a picnic rug and lunch or purchase a barbecue sausage,” Ms Ingleton said.
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“The Indian community will be displaying some of the traditional clothing that emphasise the elegance of the woman.
“The Sikhs will be showing their skills as they return to the place where the holy book Sri Guru Granth was first read in Australia.
“(Benalla's) Chinese community will be showing the skill of kung fu, and Ms Liming Lioa will be performing a number of Chinese dances,” Ms Ingleton said.
“Children can make some paper lanterns and fly a kite and perhaps be fortunate enough to receive a red envelope with some ‘gold coins’ celebrating the year of the ox.
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“The Japanese (community) will be encouraging people to participate in origami whilst enjoying some Japanese tea grown here in the north-east.”
Ms Ingleton said attendees could learn how to play Sjoelbak (tabletop shuffle-board) in the Dutch tent and practice some Nordic Finska — a log-throwing game.
“The De Vinci Social Club will be sponsoring an Italian display and we encourage everyone to enjoy some Italian culture, maybe even a game of bocce,” she said.
“The lovely young Polynesian ladies will bring a smile to everyone’s face, and don’t forget to visit the Philippines display.”
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State Emergency Service, Country Fire Authority and Victoria Police members will also be available to show what they do to keep the community safe.
“And of course storytime for the young ones (will be hosted) by one of our favourite librarians at midday,” Ms Ingleton said.
The NEMA's Comfort Food Cookbook will be on sale at the event.
It has been collated by NEMA and is a collection of more than 30 recipes from 30 different ethnic groups who now call the north-east home.
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“Because of the difficulties we all experienced during 2020 both bushfires and pandemic, we wanted to create something that would remind us of the comfort and encouragement that we received from each other as well as something that could be passed to future generations to explain what life was like in 2020,” Ms Ingleton said.
“When we couldn’t celebrate in the normal way, we couldn’t go out to dinner, we couldn’t share with our neighbours — and so the foods of our childhood, and from our country of origin, became very important.”
The Comfort Food Cookbook will be available for $10 at the event.
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