FOOD, storytelling and studies have bonded Wimmera residents during Cultural Diversity Week.
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Wimmera Development Association settlement worker Robyn Murphy said about 200 people attended the opening event on Sunday, a free multicultural afternoon tea at Horsham CWA Hall.
"It was just wonderful to have so many people there," she said.
"The community really wants to support new members and people from different cultural backgrounds, and to learn more about those cultures.
"And, of course, food is a great way to do that.
"People enjoyed the variety of food on offer and having the opportunity to taste it."
Dishes from India, Thailand, Greece and Horsham Evening CWA branch's home-made scones with jam and cream were a hit.
"All the food was gone by the end of the day," Ms Murphy said.
She believed people were also nourished by the opportunity to make new friends with back stories they might not have encountered before.
"People talked about how nice it was to go along and meet people," she said.
"Our community really has seen the bonuses of becoming more diverse."
Oasis Wimmera dancers and Horsham College String Ensemble performed.
Food was also the gathering point at Harmony Day celebrations in Nhill and Horsham.
Although today is officially Harmony Day, Volunteering Western Victoria hosted two lunches earlier this week one at its Nhill office on Tuesday, the other at its Horsham office yesterday.
Horsham woman Mar Larhtay, who moved to Australia from Burma, attended the Horsham Harmony Day lunch.
She was especially pleased by two aspects, 'all of the different food, and all of the different organisations'.
Storytime and playgroup activities at Horsham Library were also well supported.
Twelve people attended Meggy Boan's session on showing people how to access books in their first language. People also attended a yoga demonstration by Volunteering Western Victoria's Padma Giri.
"It's been really pleasing to see people coming along," Ms Murphy said.
A new study group started in Horsham at 4pm yesterday, aimed at helping migrant students succeed in school.
From 5.30pm today, Horsham police will face off against basketballers from the Wimmera's Koori community in a friendly basketball match at St Brigid's College's sports stadium.