This week is Cultural Diversity Week.
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With the backdrop of the awful events in Christchurch, the topic is poignant and relevant.
Today, almost half of all Victorians were either born overseas or have at least one parent who was born overseas.
Australians come from 200 countries, speak more than 260 languages and follow more than 130 different faiths.
Cultural diversity provides opportunities, presents us with challenges and gives cause for celebration.
I have observed a certain tension for some people when discussing the principles of cultural diversity.
Sometimes love and care for our neighbours means tolerating a certain level of disagreement.
Maybe it means accepting the fact that, hey, some things are really important to you and some different things are really important to me.
Without trying to change each other, maybe this friendship can work.
I think that the most Australian parable to this discussion is our allegiance to an AFL team.
Maybe it means accepting the fact that, hey, some things are really important to you and some different things are really important to me. Without trying to change each other, maybe this friendship can work.
Geelong supporters and Essendon supporters can live under the one roof.
We will adorn our colours, cheer the goals, dispute the umpire, be generous with our applause for a good mark by any player and travel home on the train together.
Respecting our differences ... and enjoying the things that bind us together.
Former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan once said: "We may have different religions, different languages, different coloured skin, but we all belong to the one human race."
On a local note, congratulations to Ken Barnett who recently retired from working at the Horsham Rural City Council outdoor team.
Ken was one of those council workers that did the little jobs — pruning the gardens for the Meals on Wheels recipients, cleaning the public barbecues, painting the red and white fire hydrant posts, patching holes in the road, wiping clean the public rubbish bins around town, replacing various signs, etc.
From my observations, he was a guy who was happy in his job and proud to be making a contribution to his community. Well done, Ken.