At local schools, children were encouraged to dress in orange — the symbol for Harmony Day — and join in a series of fun activities.
At Berrigan Primary School, Harmony Day was a day long celebration of difference and mutual respect.
BPS celebrated Harmony Day a little early, on March 18, with an assembly highlighting the importance of embracing all cultures, and what Harmony Day meant.
The students exchanged different ways of saying hello from around the world.
They also watched a Sesame Street video about the value of difference, called ‘We’re Different; We’re the Same’.
Teacher Emma Phillips was responsible for organising the Harmony Day festivities, and said the day was a perfect opportunity for children to hone their understanding and kindness.
‘‘The main message is that everyone matters,’’ she said.
‘‘We have some students who aren’t from Australia originally, whatever that means.
‘‘So we want to make sure we have an inclusive attitude at school. The celebration highlights all the positive things you get to do and see by having a multicultural society.
‘‘In the country, you may not have the levels of multiculturalism you have in Melbourne, so it might be harder to do things like bring in food to try,
‘‘It’s even learning how to say hello from other countries, but it’s really just to have the message that everyone matters,’’ Mrs Phillips said.
She said the lessons of Harmony Day can transcend culture and go as far as issues of identity, race and disability.
‘‘Your arm may be a different colour to mine, but it’s still an arm. It’s multi layered, the things you can get out of Hamony Day.
‘‘It’s a moment to pause and acknowledge that Australia is a multicultural country,’’ Mrs Phillips said.
The students said it was important to celebrate Harmony Day, and enjoyed celebrating different cultures from around the world.
‘‘Everyone’s different and sometimes the same!’’ Isaac Mills said.
‘‘It’s important that everyone belongs, and people come all around the world to Australia,’’ Jack Phillips said.
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