A SEA of orange and smiling faces brightened the Millicent community this week as locals united for a morning of inclusiveness, respect and belonging.
Around 200 people gathered at the Domain parklands yesterday in celebration of Harmony Day to promote the simple, yet powerful message of “everyone belongs”.
The celebration followed on from the success of last year’s event and was the largest of its kind to be held in Millicent.
Students from Millicent North, Newbery Park and St Anthony’s Primary schools and Millicent High School, as well as children from McArthur Park and Millicent North kindergartens and Gladys Smith Early Learning Centre participated in the event.
Indigenous elder Doug Nicholls welcomed attendees with the humming sound of his didgeridoo before the celebration started with a Welcome to Country reading, which paid respect to the original custodians of the land.
The kindergarten and primary school students then sung “Beautiful Rainbow” before performing a dance to Justin Timberlake’s song “Cannot Stop The Feeling”, which they had learned in the lead-up to the event under the guidance of Millicent High School’s Year 10 child studies students.
Harmony Day event organiser and McArthur Park Kindergarten educator Tracy Phillips said she was extremely pleased with the turn out and success of the morning.
“It went really well,” she said.
“Indigenous elder Douggie was an asset to the event and he provided a great atmosphere by playing the didgeridoo and welcoming everyone as they entered the parklands.
“The high school students did a fantastic job and the mob dance was well received.
“It was good to see the children have a voice and some ownership.”
Ms Phillips said the event was bigger than last year and hoped to continue the momentum through to 2020.
“It was certainly bigger this year because we were joined by Newbery Park Primary School teacher Sarah Fewster’s music class who sang a song,” she said.
“Children were up dancing during the event and were thoroughly enjoying it.
“We will look at holding it again next year and if other sites want to add to it in the form of a song, music or performance they are more than welcome to.
“It was great to see families attend and show their support.”
Ahead of the event, schools and kindergartens discussed their interpretations of the day and delivered their message in a unique way.
Students decorated messages of hope and harmony on material strips, which were to the Domain playground fence.
Children also used orange paint to leave bright markings of their hand prints on material and cardboard for an activity organised by the Millicent Public Library.
