he Bunbury Multicultural Group Inc. is a non-profit group that has the objective of promoting multiculturalism, understanding and friendship throughout the greater Bunbury and south west region through social events that welcome the community’s participation and attendance.
Comprised from various ethnic groups in Bunbury and the surrounding areas, the members work on a voluntary basis to organise events that promote multiculturalism in the community. The events also provide an excellent informal opportunity for new migrants and refugees to network in the community.
The group has successfully promoted Harmony Week and Refugee Week, held annual Tri-nation Lunar New Year Celebrations and a Tsunami fundraiser as well as providing a multicultural perspective to many events held in Bunbury.
The group’s main calendar event the Multicultural Night Under the Stars, is held free to the public in Bunbury, and has attracted nearly 2000 people over the last 3 years. We believe the festival is the only multicultural event of this scale held in the entire South West Region, and probably the State.
This event and it's lead up, enables participants from a cross-cultural base in the region to be informed of the shared benefits of living in an inclusive, multicultural society. It encourages the celebration of diversity as well as developing networks between existing, new and emerging cultural groups in the community.
The event builds bridges through inclusive community participation of people of various ages, and a range of cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds providing the opportunity for people to celebrate our wonderfully diverse community in a colourful and fun way.
All cultural groups in the community are given an opportunity to showcase their country of origin, through song, dance and information booths at the festival, while enabling others to gain access to elements of those cultures promoting a multicultural, harmonious community.
The dispelling of cultural myths and intolerance with community members interacting, gaining understanding and building networks and friendships is sustained well beyond the closing of each festival.
In holding such events we are doing a service to the people of Greater Bunbury by building an inclusive multicultural community whilst providing the opportunity for people to join together in celebrating our wonderfully diverse community in a colourful and fun way.