Sunbury’s Diwali Festival is back for its fifth year to connect communities and cultures in Sunbury.
The annual event is run by the Multicultural Resources Hub and will be held at the Hume Global Learning Centre in Sunbury on Saturday, November 25, from 1pm to 6.30pm.
Community development coordinator Shammi Parekh said the idea behind the event is to engage community participation from all cultural backgrounds without having to leave Sunbury.
“We find food, community and dance brings everyone together,” Ms Parekh said. “The main aim is to connect the community in Sunbury for Sunbury, that’s why we didn’t go elsewhere.
“With the recent census and also through our response with the food relief program we did last year, we found a lot of people are moving into Sunbury.
“But [residents are] using a lot of services outside the area because they are not connecting with services inside Hume.”
Ms Parekh said the day is also about existing services in Sunbury to come together to collaborate and deliver the event, and the Multicultural Resources Hub will soon expand its programs.
“It’s really important to embrace that Sunbury is growing rapidly and we need to step up and look at [areas like] Tarneit… where there’s so many service facilities and community gatherings.
“The Multicultural Resources Hub is stepping up its services and will be doing in-home care services, education programs and a seniors connect program in the future to engage the wider community.”
The festival will feature cultural dance performances, stalls, food vans, music and children’s activities.
Candles will also be lit to display, that light over darkness is a wonderful celebration to spread hope, togetherness, and kindness.
Details: shorturl.at/otHQS
Zoe Moffatt
