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Welcoming Week is an annual campaign which runs between 8 to 17 September and acknowledges the importance of fostering welcoming and inclusive communities, where everyone can experience a sense of belonging.

Celebrated in hundreds of communities around the world, Welcoming Week aims to connect community members from all backgrounds through community-led activities and events.

This year’s theme is the Power of Place. In our unique context, it’s all about the Power of Port Phillip. This theme invites us to reflect on the locations and environments around us that nurture connection, harmony and belonging.

This year, we’re celebrating with three Welcoming Week events.

Join the celebration

Sharing voices: belonging, harmony and spirituality

3 to 5.30 pm Sunday 10 September | St Kilda Town Hall – 99A Carlisle St, St Kilda VIC 3182

Sharing voices is presented by the and friends. This event marks the celebration of Welcoming Week (8 to 17 September), the International Day of Peace (21 September) and the Season of Creation (beginning 1 September).

Sharing voices is set to bring together local artists and guest speakers who will explore a variety of themes related to power of place and spirituality.

The event promises a range of interactive experiences including:

• art and music workshops
• a children’s storytime with music and movement
• guided neighbourhood walks
• the sharing of conversations and stories.

The afternoon event will showcase refreshments from local cafes Flavours of Syria, All Things Equal, and First Nations-owned Bunjil catering. All catering will be vegetarian and there will be vegan, kosher, gluten-free and nut-free options.

The event is open and free for all and will offer a family-friendly atmosphere perfect for attendees of every age. Bookings are not required.

• Event program

  The event’s activities have been divided into 45-minute sessions. Everyone will be able to take part in two sessions of their choosing.

  There will be a 15-minute intermission between Session 1 and Session 2 activities.

  Theme	Activity	Session 1 – 3.15 to 4 pm	Session 2 – 4.15 to 5 pm
  Refugee experiences	Art activity and conversations with Space2B artists.	Painting ceramics with Leila Ashtiani.	African textiles collages with Abouk Giir.
  Climate change	A guided neighbourhood walk.	Lead by the EcoCentre.	Lead by the EcoCentre.
  Business and gender	Facilitated discussions about tasting success and overcoming obstacles.	With a member from the Multicultural Advisory Committee (MAC) and a guest speaker from the Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY).	Owner of Flavours of Syria Café – Nayran Tabiei – will talk about what it’s like to be a local business owner and refugee.
  Voice and songs (1) – culture and community	Performance and conversations.	First Nations Storyteller, singer and songwriter – Pirritu – is set to perform and will converse with a member of the Port Phillip Youth Advisory Committee.	First Nations Storyteller, singer and songwriter – Pirritu – is set to perform and will converse with a member of the Port Phillip Youth Advisory Committee.
  Voice and songs (2) – songs which speak to human spirit	Pop up choir for the day.	Warren Wills and the Young World Choir will be performing.	Warren Wills and the Young World Choir will be performing.
  Children and youth program	Storytime with music and movement.	Lead by Darminder Kaur.	Lead by Darminder Kaur.
  Voice and social justice	Facilitated discussions about identity, representation and culture.	With a member from the Multicultural Advisory Committee (MAC) and a guest speaker from the Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY).	With a member from the Multicultural Advisory Committee (MAC) and a guest speaker from the Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY).
  Interfaith intersections	Conversation about the value of interfaith dialogue in communities.	With Bhakta Dasa from ISKCON and Rev Sandy from Victorian Council of Churches.	With Bhakta Dasa from ISKCON and Rev Sandy from Victorian Council of Churches.

Undefeated: exploring the migrant experience in Australia

6 to 7 pm Thursday 14 September | St Kilda Library – 150 Carlisle St, St Kilda VIC 3182

Join us for an enriching panel for the captivating book, Undefeated. The book weaves together 118 stories from 90 migrant women, each detailing their personal journey to Australia.

We are honoured to be joined by two of the book’s authors, Lina Orozco and Marcela Giraldo, who are both local residents. The evening is free and promises an in-depth exploration into the themes of migration, identity, and belonging and the challenges and opportunities that come with living in a diverse society.

Mayor Heather Cunsolo will be there to introduce the panel. There’ll also be opportunities to ask the panel questions and to enjoy some light refreshments.

Copies of the book will be available for purchase. Bookings are not required.

Welcoming Week walk

2 to 4 pm Sunday 17 September | Commencing from Station Pier

Celebrate the multicultural heritage of Port Phillip with a guided walk along the Immigration Trail starting from Station Pier where many people began their Australian journey.

Join our local walk leader in retracing their footsteps and learn about the remarkable stories which continue to shape our community.

Bookings are essential. You can

See you there

We hope you’ll join us in celebrating Welcoming Week and that we’ll see you at one or all of our upcoming events.