Short Summary

We are a diverse group of Novocastrians (and Lake Macquarians!) who came together to plan something positive and wonderful for our community. We wanted an event that was a celebration of our culturally and religiously diverse community. A celebration of the human race! We formed the group, Newcastle: Unity in Diversity, and have teamed up with Refugee Action Network Newcastle to plan this festival as part of National Refugee Week.

Our group came together in response to the racism and bigotry of the Reclaim Australia movement. We felt we couldn't stand by and do nothing in the face of the lies and myths being spread about Muslim people. We believe in the old saying that 'for evil to prevail, all it takes is for good men (and women) to do nothing'. So we are doing something!

The festival starts at the Newcastle Museum at 11am on Saturday 13 June 2015.  We then walk to Civic Park, Newcastle where we start with an Awabakal smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country.  Following this there will be speakers from the Christian (Fr Rod Bower from the Gosford Anglican Church), Muslim, and Jewish congregations.  We have food stalls, bands and dancers. Face painting, hair braiding and much more! It will be a family day so bring your picnic rugs and settle in for an afternoon of multicultural entertainment.

We feel this festival is incredibly important. It creates the opportunity for all those people who want to contribute to making our world a better place, to stand together. The festival will be a celebration but it is also a 'push back' against the racism, hate and bigotry.

What We Need & What You Get

We need funding for some of the performers, the printing of banners and posters, and the stage and PA hire. All up our costs are currently around $3,700 which we are using our own credit cards for!

As we are a really grassroots community group we don't really have any perks or rewards to offer you, just a better, happier and safer world to live in! We will be posting all contributors' names on our FaceBook page and we'll read out a list at the festival.