LETTER: Multiculturalism means many cultures but only one community

DEAR News of the Area,

THE Coffs Coast is home to people from many ethnic backgrounds.

This cultural diversity was celebrated at the inaugural Coffs Coast International Food and Dance Festival in November 2023.

Festivals, stories, food, music and dancing are wonderful ways of bringing people from different cultural, linguistic, religious, social and philosophical backgrounds together.

However, multiculturalism is about much more than this.

Multiculturalism should not be about creating divisions between ‘us’ and ‘them’.

It should be about acknowledging and understanding our differences in order to build stronger relationships around what we have in common.

Regardless of where we or our parents were born, how we were raised, our cultural background or our beliefs, we all have a responsibility to the community in which we live.

Everyone shares a desire to live in a safe community with secure housing, good health and educational opportunities, meaningful local employment – including for our children, a sustainable environment and in a society where people can live with dignity and respect.

Our cultural diversity is part of the fabric of modern Australia.

When we use that diversity to build trust, friendship, cooperation and community participation, it becomes a strength we can all contribute to and benefit from.

We do not have to choose between celebrating our cultural heritage and being Australian. We can do both.

Many cultures, one community, one Australia.

I warmly invite everyone to attend the third Coffs Coast International Food and Dance Festival on 11 October 2026 at the Jetty Harbour Side Market, Coffs Harbour.

This free community event will begin with a Welcome to Country Ceremony. We look forward to bringing people together to celebrate the rich cultural diversity that makes our community stronger, more inclusive, and more vibrant.

Regards,

Htun Htun Oo,

President,

Coffs Coast Multicultural Society.