Unity in Diversity Festival 2023

Despite less than favourable weather conditions, the Southern Migrant and Refugee’s Unity in Diversity Festival was a resounding success as a celebration of our multicultural community in Melbourne’s southeast.

What we lacked in sunshine we made up for with fantastic performances on our main stage, engaging interactive activities, dedicated service providers and businesses sharing information and wares, passionate sports aficionados, and all-round smiles. The event was attended by close to 2000 people.

We had 40+ stalls filled with smiling representatives from the health, community, settlement, youth, emergency, political and business sectors, strengthening connection between a wide range of sectors and the broader community.

The seven vibrant cultural tents showcased just a taste of the passion and dedication community members have to sharing their traditions and culture. Our main stage hosted 17 performances representing 14 nationalities. We were also honoured to have seven speeches from Members of Parliament, local Council and the Victorian Multicultural Commission.

Our event sponsor representative from Chery Dandenong drew our major raffle prize winners, with winners taking away a $1000 travel voucher, a $750 Good Guys voucher and a $500 car detailing voucher.

Eleven interactive activities and three talented roaming performers brought warmth, excitement and laughter to crowds who braved the weather. And of course, a delicious BBQ, popcorn machine, smoothie bike and tea/coffee was enjoyed by all.

We were impressed by the number of people who braved the weather to enjoy the activities on offer.

SMRC wishes to thank our generous sponsors, donors and festival raffle prize providers: Chery Dandenong, Glen Institute, Procal Dairies, TJ Travel, DIKA Automotive, Hyatt Place Caribbean Park, Ultra Tune Dandenong, Dandenong/Cranbourne RSL, Coles Dandenong, Woolworths Dandenong, Reading Cinema, Dandenong Plaza Lotto.

Thank you to our business, community and health sector stallholders, speakers, performers, entertainers, emergency services and representatives of multiple sporting codes. We could not have brought together such a Festival without you. We would also like to acknowledge our Board members, staff, and volunteers at SMRC who dedicated their time and efforts to bringing Unity in Diversity to life.